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■ - tHt - — 

1. POBTRAIT OF PROFESSOR WILSON. 

2. DEDICATION 

FAGI 

3. AT HOME xn 

i. THE EMPEACHMENT i 

5 A WOLF IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING 

t 

6 BRUIN THE ROYAL MESSENGER II 

7. MALEPARTUS CASTLE lit 

k 8. TEMPTATION 33 

:». DANGER 30 

hi. THE ROYAL PHYSICIAN 85 

li. THE PENITENT 16 

L2. THE STRATAGEM . . 52 

13. IRE 56 

14. BORNE OFF THE FIELD 62 

15 THE TRIUMPB 64 

16 '."«in BYE . 71 



X -V X VV -V 'V ♦ 



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ERHAPS no secular work, since the 

invention of Printing, has obtained such 

an extensive circulation and unbounded 

J: 

fif^ popularity as the story of "Reynard the Fox." 
For centuries it has been a household possession, 
perused in the palace and the hall, the grange 
and the cottage; it has fascinated the young and 
amused the old. " It has been lectured mi in 
universities, quoted in imperial council-halls; it has 
lain on the toilets of princes, and been thumbed to pieces 
on the benches of artisans." Even the German Shakspeare, 
Goethe, has made ii the subject of a great poem; and 
kindred genius, in the person of Kaulbach. has illustrated 
the work by the finest series of pictorial embellishments 

* Carlyle. 




VI 



%\t Stog of $*patfo % Jw. 



with which a book was ever adorned. We are told by the 
eminent authority above quoted, " that the oldest printed 
edition of our actual Reynard is that of Liibeck in 1498, 
of which there is a copy, understood to be the only one, 
still extant in the Wolfenbiittel Library." 

This ancient edition is in the Low German, and 
appears to have been produced by Hinrek van Alkmer, 
who, in his preface, calls himself " schoolmaster and 
tutor of that noble and virtuous prince and lord, the 
Duke of Lorrain ; " and says farther, that by order of the 
same worthy sovereign, he " sought out and rendered the 
present book from the Waloon and French tongues into 
German, for the wholesome edification of whoso readeth 
therein." Another version of the authorship, bearing date 
some hundred years later, appeared, setting forth how that 
the real author was one Nicholas Baumann, professor at 
Rostock ; how he had been secretary to the Duke of Juliers, 
but was driven from his service by wicked cabals; and so, 
in revenge, composed this satirical adumbration of the 
Juliers' court. In order to avoid consequences, he is said 
to have put on the title-page the fiction of its being rendered 
from the French and Waloon tongues, and the feigned name 




of Hinrek van Alkmer, who, for the rest, was never school- 
master or tutor at Lorrain or anywhere else, but a mere 
man of straw created for the nonce out of so many letters 
of the alphabet. Excessive debate and learned sharp- 
shooting ensued, with victorious shouts on both sides, but 
into the claims of either party we do not enter, though 
drawn sympathetically towards Hinrek. 

In literary history, however, he is nowhere mentioned 
or hinted at, except on this one occasion ; and whichever 
way the dispute is settled, the victor could at most claim to 
be the first German redactor of this fable. 

The inventor must be sought for in a much remoter 
period. There are even two printed versions of the tale 
prior in date to this of Liibeck : a Dutch one at Delft in 
1484, and one by Caxton in English in 1481. which seems 
to be the earliest of all.* These two differ essentially from 
Hinrek's ; still more so does the French Roman du Nouveau 



* Caxton'8 edition, a copy of which is in the British Museum, hears title — 
"Hystorye of Reynard the Foxe," and begins thus: — "It was aboute the tyme of 
l'entecoste or Whytsontyde that the wodes comynly he lusty and gladsome, and the 
trees clad with levys and blossoms, and the grounds with herhes and Mowers swede 
smellying;" whereas in many other passages the fact that Caxton and Alkmer 
had the same original before them is manifest enough. Our venerable printer says 



Vlll 



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Renard, composed by "Jacquemars Gielee at Lisle about the 
year 1290," which yet exists in manuscript; however, they 
sufficiently verify that statement of the German redactor's 
having " sought and rendered " his work from the Waloon 
and French, in which latter tongue, as we shall soon see, 
some shadow of it had been known and popular, centuries 
before that time. For besides Gielee's work, we have a 
Renard Couronne of still earlier, and a Renard Contrefait 
of somewhat later date ; and chroniclers inform us that, at 
the noted festival given by Philip the Fair in the beginning 
of the fourteenth century, among the dramatic entertain- 
ments was a whole life of Reynard, wherein it must not 
surprise us that he " ended by becoming pope, and still 
under the tiara continued to eat poultry." From all which, 
so much at least would appear, that the fable of Reynard 
the Fox, which in the German version we behold completed, 
nowise derived its completeness from the individual there 
named Hinrek van Alkmer, or from any other individual 

in conclusion — " I have not added ne mynnsshed, but have followed as nyghe as I can 
my copye whych was in Dutche, and by me, Willm Caxton, translated into this rude 
and symple Englyssh in the Abbey of Westminster, and fynnyshed the vi. daye 
of Juyn, the yere of our Lord 1481, the 21 yere of the regne of Kynge Edward 
the iiijth." 




or people, but rather, that being old and universally current, 
it was taken up by poets and satirists of all countries ; from 
each received some accession or improvement, and properly 
has no single author. We must observe, however, that as 
yet it had attained no fixation or consistency. No version 
was decidedly preferred to every other. Caxton's and the 
Dutch appear, at best, but as the skeleton of what after- 
wards became a body. Of the old Waloon version, said to 
have been discovered lately, we are taught to entertain a 
similar opinion. In the existing French versions, which are 
all older, there is even less analogy. Looseh conjoined, 
therefore, and only in the state of dry bones, was it that 
Hinrek, or Nicholas, or some Saxon, whoever he might 
be, found the story; and blowing on it with the breath 
of genius, raised it up into a consistent fable. 

The farther history of Reynard is easily traced. In 
this new guise, it spread abroad witli unexampled rapidity- — 
fixing itself as a firm possession in most countries, where, 
indeed, in this character, we still find it. It was printed 
and translated innumerable times. In the original dialect 
alone, the last editor lias reckoned up more than twenty 
editions; in one of which, for example, we find such a 



%ty Stora a! $epartr % Jte. 



name as Heinrich Voss. It was first translated into High 
German in 1545, into Latin in 1567 by Hartmann 
Schopper, and a new version into short German verse 
appeared the century following. It was rendered into 
prose for the use of the people, and was sold on stalls; 
where still, with the needful changes in orthography, and 
printed on the greyest paper, it tempts the speculative 
eye. Thus has our old fable, rising like some river in the 
remote distance from obscure rivulets, gathered strength out 
of every valley, and out of every country, as it rolled on. 
It is European in two senses ; for as all Europe contributed 
to it, so all Europe has enjoyed it. It has been translated 
into French, Italian, Danish, Swedish, Dutch, and English. 
Nor was that same stall honour, which has been reckoned 
the truest literary celebrity, refused it here. Perhaps 
many a reader of these pages may, like the writer of 
them, recollect the hours when, hidden from unfeeling 
gaze of pedagogue, he swallowed the most pleasant and 
delightful history of Reynard the Fox, like stolen waters, 
with a timorous joy.* The importance of fable in the 
earlier stages of society can never be overrated. The 

* Abridged from the Foreign Quarterly Eeview. 



gwfaa. 



XI 



intolerable haughtiness which invariably accompanies des- 
potic power blinds the understanding and warps the judg- 
ment of its possessors, rendering them inaccessible to truth : 
their ears were therefore to be reached only through alleg< >r\ 
and fable. The first on record is by Jotham. who, by the 
agency of an apologue, denounced the spurious usurper and 
murderer who put threescore and ten of his brethren to 
indiscriminate slaughter, seized the reins of government, 
and became a ruthless tyrant for the space of three years, 
when he perished by the hand of a woman at the tower of 
Thebez.* By the instrumentality of fable, the conscience 
of the poet-king of Israel was awakened, and his heart 
pierced to its inmost core by remorse, and ultimately by 
true repentance. f Lessons of reproof and morality were 
continually delivered in this mode by the sages of antiquity 
to the various classes of mankind, when instruction of a 
more direct nature would not, or could not have reached 
their hearts, or influenced their conduct. 

Bui although our standard of morality is higher than 
that of the ancients, and our sources of instruction infinitely 
superior to theirs; yet, agreeable and ingenious fiction is 
* Judges, chap. ix. t 2 Sam. chap. xii. I. 



Xll 



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oftentimes found necessary to allure the juvenile mind into 
the path which leads to more important studies — to produce 
habits of reading and reflection, and thus, by imperceptible 
gradations, to imbue the youthful enquirer with a love of 
letters. If, therefore, we can procure the attention of 
the rising generation to matters of importance, through 
the medium of salutary amusement, conveyed in purity of 
language, and with earnestness of purpose, something has 
been gained. While preparing a new impression of this 
popular tale for the press, I have chiefly followed the 
London edition of 1706. It is an octavo of some 300 
pages, entitled " The Crafty Courtier, or the Fable of 
Reynard the Fox; newly done into English verse from 
the ancient Latin Iambics of Hartmann Schopperus." 
But while this version preserves the narrative of Reynard 
with all fidelity, it abounds with satirical episodes and 

* Carlyle has told vis, with a degree of antiquarian research peculiar to himself, 
that while poor Schopper was engaged on his translation, at Freiburg in Baden, he 
was impressed as a soldier, and carried apparently in fetters to Vienna, having given 
his work to another to finish. At Vienna he stood not long in the ranks — having 
fallen violently sick, and being thrown out into the streets to recover there. He 
says — « He was without bed, and had to seek quarters on the muddy pavement in a 
barrel." Here, too, in the night, some excessively straightened individual stole from 



gnfacf. 



Xlll 



political pasquinades, now obsolete, together with impro- 
prieties of language and unsuitable allusions; all which I 
have deleted, and confined myself exclusively to the story 
of Reynard, as it has descended to us through the lapse 
of centuries, with the important addition of awarding thai 
great state criminal, that poetical justice which none of 
my predecessors have ventured to adjudge. 

To have allowed this over-gorged public defaulter to 
loll on the woolsack in ease and honour, while he fleeced 
the lieges with impunity, — to bask in the sunshine of royal 
favour, while he perverted the stream of justice, and Bel 
the laws of the land at defiance, — to accumulate riches 
equal to the public resources of the kingdom by fraud, 
without impeachment, trial, and well-merited infamy, — 
would have abetted the avaricious propensities of public 



him his cloak and Babre. However, men were ao1 all hyaenas. One Joseph Huf- 
nagel, unknown to him, but to whom by his writings he was known, took him under 
roof, procured medical assistance, equipped him anew, so that, "in the harvest 
ion, being half cured, he could return, or rather re-crawl to Frankfort on the 
Mayne." There, too, "a Sfagister Johann Cuipius, Christian Egenolph'a son-in- 
law, kindly received him," and encouraged him to finish hie translation, as accord- 
ingly he <li<l — dedicating it to the Emperor, with doleful complaints, fruitless or not 
it unknown. 



XIV 



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peculators, strengthened the hands of ingenious tyranny, 
and our youthful aspirants after fame and fortune might 
have forgotten the awful denunciation, that "fire shall 
consume the tabernacles of bribery," and " the hope of 
unjust men perish." D. V. 



Preston Street, Edinburgh, 
May 1852. 





§tonj of iUparo tlje $m. 



Ijaptcr t|e Jflrst. 





r HE Spring appeared in all its glory, and the husband- 
man anticipated the coming season with joy; the trees 
were clothed in verdure, and the fields were enamelled 
with flowers ; the birds saluted the morning sun with 
; hymns of gladness, and poured forth vesper songs, as 
the glorious Luminary descended behind the western mountains. 
The brilliant Loveliness of nature, and the exhilarating influence 
of the atmosphere, mollified the stem heart of the royal Lion. 

King of beasts and birds, insomuch that he determined to hold 
a solemn festival at his imperial palace, and, under the guise 

of apparent condescension and friendly conviviality, investigate 
an\ charges of partiality against his judges, or oppression on 
the part of his other powerful subjects. Accordingly, he issued 



a proclamation, commanding all his lieges, both beasts and 
birds, to attend his court, on pain of his royal displeasure ; 
announcing at the same time, that a sumptuous entertainment 
would be provided for them. When the important day arrived, 
birds and quadrupeds from every quarter might be seen throng- 
ing to court. The gates of the grand saloon were thrown 
open, and the great feudatories — such as Bruin the Bear, Isegrim 
the Wolf, Pard the Leopard, Grevincus the Badger, and Springer 
the Hound, took their places near the throne, while the herd of 
the commonalty kept at a respectful distance. 

One of the most sagacious barons of the kingdom, however, 
had absented himself. This was no less a personage than 
Reynard the Fox. He had formerly held high office under his 
Majesty; but while he pretended to live only for the good of 
the commonweal and the honour of his master, self-interest was 
his ruling passion; moreover, he had such a strong liking for 
dainties, that he had been known to disguise himself, and purloin 
the King's poultry on their way to the royal demesne ; and yet, 
next day, with unequalled address and consummate dexterity, 
he would throw the odium of the theft on some political rival 
whom it was his interest to keep down; thus making the 
prostrate body of an innocent competitor a stepping-stone to 
power, and strengthening the royal partiality by unworthy 
means. Conscious of guilt, the ex-minister pretended to be 
grievously sick, and could not do himself the honour to wait 
on his Majesty; while the fact was, that he was afraid to trust 
the royal amnesty, as he well knew he should be accused by 



a be .^tori) of Bemud the rot. 



3 



certain of his political or personal enemies when they became 
exhilarated by the influence of the delicious wine which was 
sure to circulate with regal hospitality. After an interchange 
of friendly greetings and salutary conversation, the august party 
descended to the banqueting hall, where they found the table 
furnished with regal magnificence. Each took his place with 
decorum, while his Majesty addressed his guests with dignified 
familiarity and amicable courtesy. The viands disappeared with 
great rapidity from the well-replenished board; the goblet circu- 
lated right royally; the company, who were at first awe-struck 
by the imperial glance, were now at their ease; political disqui- 
sitions became loud and fiery ; and atrocious stories were told of. 
and heavy accusations made against Reynard the Fox. 




®|t Storj cf Jltpsrt tlrt Jfe. 



Cjrafier ijt Shflrafo. 




-«i 



>P rose Isegrim the Wolf; and having made his 
conge to the throne, bellowed forth his complaint 
against Reynard until the gilded cornices rung 
again. " I beseech you, dread Sovereign, take pity 
on me and my wife for the injuries we have suffered 
by that false craven Reynard. He intruded himself into 
my house, insulted my dear partner, did violence to 
my helpless children, whereby some of them lost their precious 
eye-sight, and then, like a coward, slunk to his hole, without 
giving me the satisfaction of a gentleman. Were I to record his 
crimes, it would be a black indictment, and would fill many 
volumes. By setting the laws at defiance, Sire, he slights you, 
while he injures the public with impunity." Isegrim having 
caught the eye of the Monarch, again made his obeisance, and 
resumed his seat. Whereupon Springer started to his legs, and, 
having crouched before the throne, accused the unhappy culprit 
Reynard of robbing him of his perquisites of office, namely, the 




T H K IMl'K At' II M 



' 



%\t Siorn of ilcnnaro the jto 



skeletons of geese and other fowls, beef and mutton bones, 
together with rancid sausages and decayed bacon. He averred 
that such proceedings were intolerable, and ought to be punished 
by the laws of this and every well regulated kingdom ; and this 
failing, such vagabonds should be proceeded against by fire and 
sword. Upon which, Malkin the Cat, with a fiery countenance 
and bristling whiskers, mewed forth a speech in the ears of 
Majesty which plainly showed that self-interest had blinded her 
judgment. So making a semicircle of her back, and stretching 
out her tail, she said — " My lord, I confess that Keynard the Fox 
is an atrocious villain, fraudulent, and a thief; but there are 
certain others who may be proved as bad as he. Springer the 
Hound has all the will to be a thief without the ability. The 
bacon which he alleges to have been stolen from him by Reynard, 
he meanly stole from me — although he knew very well I risked 
life and limb in taking it out of the mill by night when the 
miller lay asleep." Bruin the Bear, who thought himself the 
handsomest person in the assembly, and anxious to display his 
elocution before royalty, got upon his hind legs, and, leaning 
on a pole to which he had been accustomed in a caravan, he 
hoarsely complained of grievances and losses. He gazed in 
the Monarch's face, and, unabashed, told his Sovereign that be 
had more important information to lay before his majesty than 
any that had yet been tendered; — "They are worthy of the 
care of a prince and the anger of a king. Although your 
Majesty has thoughl the Fox a saint heretofore, 1 will prove 
him a fiend. His lather was hanged, his mother was burned for 



6 &Ij£ Storg at $*p»r& % $m. 

sorcery, lie was inured to thieving from infancy, which malady 
can only be cured by a rope. Often has he wished you laid 
with your fathers, and made vows to evil spirits for your 
destruction, in the vain hope of cajoling the giddy crowd and 
ascending your royal throne. On the faith of treaties, a harm- 
less Rabbit came to sojourn in your imperial city ; Reynard, 
the villain, sneaked up to the simpleton, and smilingly asked 
him if he would learn a song. The knave made him believe 
that he would not only teach him music, but that he had 
interest enough to introduce him at court, and procure him the 
privilege of singing before royalty — when, if successful, his 
fortune was made. The fool believed him, and elevated his 
head and expanded his chest, as ordered by the singing master. 
While in this attitude, he seized his victim by the throat, just 
as he was warbling and quavering the first or second bars of an 
Italian air; and would have doubtless murdered the innocent 
but for me, who happily interfered at the critical moment. The 
gash on his throat may yet be seen 5 and the silly wretch is 
now here to prove my accusation. There are none secure from 
his treasons. He deceives the rich, robs the poor, murders 
the weak, and betrays the strong. Your Majesty's crown is in 
danger if he is suffered to prowl longer through your dominions ; 
and with one voice we cry for justice." The crowd rent the sky 
with their plaudits, and all repeated, " Let the traitor perish ! " 

Grevincus the Badger, who was Reynard's nephew, being 
moved with high wrath and indignation on hearing his kinsman 
thus impeached, and on the brink of condemnation, manfully 



stood up, and told the revellers in plain terms, that " if Reynard 
were here, they durst not abuse the ear of their Sovereign with 
falsehoods, nor give prominence to the faults of others to hide 
their own. Thou, Tsegrim, now so loud and clamorous, hast found 
him friendly, and publicly bepraised his high mental qualities. 
The cunning which thou upbraidest has often saved thee from 
starvation. Well dost thou remember when the fishmonger's 
cart was driven through the village, how he stiffened his limbs, 
drooped his head, and glazed his eyes. The hind, thinking he had 
been dead, threw him into the cart, and, being snugly ensconced 
there, threw thee out as many fish as served thy famishing 
family for a fortnight. At the peril of life and limb, my 
sagacious kinsman procured a fine sucking Pig, and while it 
was becoming beautifully brown on the spit over a pool of 
rich gravy, thou ingrate, didst thou not meanly and feloniously 
tear it thence, and, like a craven as thou art, slink away to 
the forest with it? thus doing treason to thy hospitable enter- 
tainer, and giving a proof of thy worthlessness. As to the 
charge against my traduced relative, made by Bruin, the 
Rabbit was his scholar, and bound by oath to be his servant 
also. Had not the master a right to chastise his servant, the 
teacher to correct his pupil? Besides, the lad was both cox- 
comb and dullard at the same time. It would have been the 
simpleton's ruin if my friend had acted otherwise. Springer 
the Hound pretends that he has been robbed! What exclusive 
right he had to goods which he himself had stolen. I own 
passes my comprehension. fair plunder in righteous wars is 



8 %\t $tax% at geparfo t|e $h. 

approved of by our greatest generals ; but envy follows merit, 
as surely as the shadow follows the substance. The humble, 
I should say the lowly, condition in which my relation lives, 
should move your pity rather than your hatred. Austere in 
his dress, severe in his morals, frugal in everything except 
charity, coarse his fare, and rigorous in his fasting and penances, 
he lives an inflexible recluse, and only thinks of his latter 
end. Besides, he is often insulted by the application of 
opprobrious epithets, and assaulted by the meanest of your 
Majesty's subjects ; his reformation is termed hypocrisy, and 
the humility of his bearing cowardice. It was only the other 
day, when meditating in the fields, and arrayed in full canonical 
costume, he chanced unwittingly to pass a poultry yard; and 
although he was armed with your Majesty's decree, commanding 
peace and amity among the various tribes of your kingdom, the 
whole colony rushed out on the harmless recluse with bludgeons, 
brooms, pitchforks, and other deadly weapons, and but that he 
was ' cunning of fence,' they would have taken his life ; and, to 
crown the indignity, a contemptible Peacock, tricked out in gaudy 
frippery, but a coward at heart withal, soared to a place of safety, 
and screamed forth such a torrent of vile language as was never 
heard in any of your Majesty's fishmarkets. If during the fray 
some of the family of Gallus suffered in either life or limb, I 
know not, but one thing I am certain of, that the intentions of 
my much abused relative were in strict accordance with your 
Majesty's decree." While Grevincus was labouring towards 
his climax, he was stopt short by seeing a sad procession 







y 







Rf'?W'fillSlJv*ro'**v 






The ?tonj of ilcpnaro tbt row 



approach the court. Callus the Cock, together with a Long 
train of .sons and neighbours, advanced lamenting, and crying 
for justice: and, to enhance the melancholy scene, the body of 
Gallena, his daughter, was laid on a bier, win. had been lately 
murdered by Reynard." 

* See Frontiepii • 




io % \t Stag si S«j«srt \\t fat. 



€\i}itx % Cprtr. 



-S-5S+. 




ALLUS the Cock stood before the King's tribunal, 
impatient to avenge the blood of his beloved 
p\ daughter. Her brothers bemoan their father's be- 
r? reaved condition, and bewail the untimely fate of their 
sister. When the first paroxysm of grief subsided a little, 
Gallus addressed himself to the Monarch : — " Behold, Sire, 
a loyal subject wretched and old; robbed of his children who 
were dearer than life. I was the happy father of twelve stately 
sons, and twenty fair daughters. They had board and education 
in an abbot's yard, where their physical and moral health were 
well looked after. They were guarded by six friendly mastiffs 
day and night. This circumstance that culprit Reynard knew 
full well, and despaired of ever catching them by surprise. He 
accordingly resorted to stratagem, dressed himself like a monk, 
covered his villain's head with a cowl, and produced your royal 
mandate that feuds, and fear, and hostile acts should for ever 
cease and determine. I saw the imperial seal on the document, 
and bent my head in token of reverence and obedience. The 



%\t Starg irf §*p»rb i\t /ov. 



11 



wily thief spoke demurely and penitentially of his former immoral 
courses ; told me that penance should be his daily task hereafter ; 
that he should endeavour to divest himself of all earthly cares, 
all worldly passions; that cooling herbs should be his food, and 
these only to be used in sparing quantities. He, moreover, 
produced a forged certificate to prove himself a member of the 
brotherhood; and when the vesper bell rung, he counted his 
beads, and went through certain devotional mummeries with the 
dexterity of an adept. I heard, saw, and believed. The tidings 
new over the whole yard. The gates were opened ; and the good 
mastiffs, who had watched my children with so much fidelity, 
were thrown off their guard. The hypocrite took advantage of 
the negligence which his falsehood had produced. He rushed 
in and devoured my daughters, and destroyed my sons. I have 
only been able to save the relics of Gallena, which I lay before 
your Majesty as a proof of the desolation which has overwhelmed 
my house." 

Maugre the imperial diadem and mantle, the golden sceptre, 
and the jewelled throne, the Sovereign wept! and, frowning 
sternly on Grevincus the Badger, exclaimed, "Hal is this the 
way the new monastic spends his time? He seems to defy 
•Jove's thunder and his Sovereign's mandates. We can bear this 
insolence no longer. He dies! Inter the dend decently, and 
proceed instanter with the vile assassin!" The funeral rites 
being performed, the feudatories assembled, and debated the 
[natter amicably, how the murderer might be broughl in justice 
with the greatest speed and security. All seemed repugnanl to 



12 



f J* Stow 0f impart % jfe. 



the task, and many were the excuses offered. At length Bruin 
the Bear, animated more by personal hatred than duty to his 
King, undertook the task ; and with an oath — such as none but 
bears use — promised to bring him up to justice, dead or alive. 




Hit *tori) of iirpart Hit f«. IS 




Chapter tjrc lourtlj. 



■■iNl" 

HE Monarch held out the golden sceptre to Bruin 
the Bear, previous to his commencing his dangerous 
'# mission — " Go, Bruin, I command, but take care that 
1%. thou art not baffled by the strategy of the rebel ; give 
no heed to his smiles; trust not his flattery; it is un- 
worthy of a great statesman to be circumvented." [inpatient 
of advice, Bruin felt a little hurt, and growled forth a gasconade. 
" Hear me, I ) ( Isesar! If Reynard proves too cunning for me, lei 
the darksome womb of the earth engulf a wretch unworthy of the 
light." And bowing towards the throne, took Leave. Be tra- 
versed many wilds, passed rapid Hoods, descended into caves, and 

Searched the forests all round, but saw nothing of the outlaw, and 

consequently ha<l to put up wiih "traveller's Lodgings" for the 
night. Reynard had buill an impregnable fort, where guilt and 

infanrj might find a retreat. He dug it deep, and compassed it 
with walls, hedges, and a deep trench, lie al80 contrived a sally 
port, known only to himself. This stronghold luiiin at Length 
found out, and knowing it sheliered the rebel, he thundered at 



14 %\t %\mi of lUpaxfr tj* Jm 

the door, and in tones of authority accosted Reynard, who gave 
him a salute from the walls. " See," says Bruin, " the King's 
august command; here is his signature, and this is the impres- 
sion of the royal signet ; unbar your gates, and allow the 
representative of majesty to enter." Reynard answered the 
ambassador in the most polite manner, — " Read the King's com- 
mission, if you please. Ancient feuds, you know, have passed 
between us ; but when we are both safe, we may be free." 

The Bear replied that his Majesty was highly exasperated 
against him. " If you dare refuse to obey his summons, he vows 
by his throne that he will put your person to the rack, and raze 
your house to the ground." 

When Reynard became assured that our egotistical envoy 
was alone, he thought all was as it should be, so went down 
and opened the narrowest wicket. " Your pardon, noble Bruin. 
I have kept you waiting by far too long, but I hope you 
will excuse my fright. My matin service is now over, and I 
hasten to pay my duty. I am astonished to see such an august 
guest within these poor walls as yourself. You renew your 
former favours in this visit. Great was your journey ! Ah ! 'tis 
very rare to see lords of your rank visit such humble individuals 
as myself. Homely fare and a hearty welcome is all your 
excellency must look for from me." 

The insolence of office is sometimes laconic. " Come Sir ! my 
time is short ; pack up your baggage and march, or I shall find a 
method to quicken your movements." "If health permit, I shall 
follow your excellency to-morrow ; they can never restrict a 













Wi 



%\t Storgr of gtpndi tbc ja%. 15 

person of your high rank to a day. I am brought low by pain 
and sickness. Alas! I have scarcely strength to walk. My 
stomach is weak, and I am prescribed to eat gruels and salads. 
and to abstain from flesh altogether. I have as fine a chic-ken as 
ever was turned on a spit, but Dr. Owl prohibits me from touch- 
ing it." The ambassador, after his long and devious journey, 
being somewhat sharp set, was already in fancy picking the bone. 
" You are well provided, Reynard," said his excellency, in a 
softened tone. " Time was, my lord, when I had enough and 
to spare, but I cannot forage now as formerly ; I find myself at 
once sick and poor. I have, however, plenty of honey, but eating 
much of that brought on the colic. 'Tis rich and pleasant, but 
by far too luscious and sweet for me and my ailments." " Ha ! 
you astonish me; is honey really so plentiful here ? I prefer it to 
flesh, or fish, or venison, or lobsters, sturgeon, jellies, or soups. 
I shall never forget your favour, Sir, if you will oblige me with a 
pot, and the larger the better." Reynard was delighted to find 
that Bruill had swallowed the bait so greedily, and, bowing and 
smiling, he said, u Since your lordship is such a lover of honey, 
my neighbour the husbandman, 1 have to inform your lordship, 
has such a Large stock of bees, that their hives will furnish you 
with as much honey as you can consume in a month. If your 
excellency will be pleased to walk, 1 will exert all mv remaining 
strength to accompany you; 'tis only u short League." To the 
husbandman's orchard, accordingly, they trudged on in the most 
friendly manner; the envoy bent on delicacies, the rebel on 
n-\ enge. 



16 %\t stdti of JJipsrlr'tJ* Jm 

The orcliard having been reached under cloud of night, the 
invaders surveyed the ground for a breach or opening whereby 
they might enter. At length they found a great oak tree with 
two wedges in it, and the cleft open. " I humbly beg your 
excellency," said the Fox, " be careful, for within this tree is 
much honey; eat moderately, for a surfeit is dangerous." " Leave 
that to my prudence," says Bruin. So he entered the cleft with 
eagerness, which his wily antagonist perceiving, pulled out the 
wedges, and caught Bruin in so sharp a trap, that the poor 
envoy howled with pain, while the Fox at a distance jibed and 
jeered the crest-fallen statesman. " How does your excellency 
like the honey? As you value your duty to the King, do not 
surfeit yourself, seeing ye are on an important mission." The 
noise alarmed the whole village, the inhabitants of which came 
and belaboured the Bear's sides with clubs, and hoes, and pitch- 
forks, until, mad with rage, he tore his bleeding face and paws 
from the tree, and rushed blindly into a river that ran close by, 
knocking into the water many of the boors, and among the rest 
the husbandman's wife, for whose sake every one bestirred him- 
self. Amidst the confusion the Bear limped away, and was no 
more seen in that quarter. 



iilie Stirg of iUparo the fir*. 



Chapter tbr tfiftlj. 




KAXYVHILE, the slippery politician Reynard 
having stolen a plump cockerel from the hus- 
bandman's roost, carried it to lii< stronghold, 
and having made a banquet thereon that mighl 
r e served a cardinal, he sallied out by his secret 
postern to procure drink, and sauntering along the 
margin of the brook, lie came upon the unfortunate Bear, 
growling in an under tone, and licking- his lacerated paws. 
Adding' insult to injury, he sneeringly observed. " Ha ! I>\ 
your looks you have fed upon delicious honey to repletion, 
but 1 fear yon have paid too great a price for your Luxuries. 
Your coat, too, has also changed colour. If I mistake not, if 
was formerly sable, now I perceive it is crimson. Perhaps you 
mean to leave the cares of Statesmanship, and retire into the 
bosom of mother-church. Ah ! my dear friend, when yon 
receive a cardinal's hat. i hope your eminence will remember 
me, as my inclinations run in the same direction. -Why do you 

employ Buch a clumsy barber? He has scraped your chin too 



18 ' %\t Stars of $epartr \\t Jta. 

close, and scarified your jaw ! Your tusks — your very bones, 
appear ; nay, as I live an honest life, lie hath denuded you of 
half of one of your ears !" The discomfited Bear, writhing with 
mental and physical anguish, replied not a word, but limped away 
to the grand assembly, where, in dismal accents, he recounted the 
sad trick that Eeynard had played him. The mighty autocrat 
of birds and beasts was never known to be in such a towering 
passion on any former occasion. He started from his throne — 
his mane bristled, his eyes flashed fire, and his tail swung from 
side to side like a pendulum; so, elevating his right paw, he 

exclaimed — 

" Now, by this earth and yon empyreal sky ! 

The traitor shall with ignominy die ; 

The forms of law from which we never swerve, 

Our judges must advise, and we observe. " 

The senate, nem. con., thanked him for his speech ; and an 
impeachment was moved by the Bruin party. Grumble the Ass 
was the foremost spokesman 5 he was an advocate by profession, 
but was poor, proud, formal, obstinate, and dull. Nevertheless, 
he stood up before the august assembly — for ignorance is always 
impudent, and constantly self-possessed. He brayed a long 
invective against the panel, exhibiting his crimes in the blackest 
hues his ingenuity, such as it was, could suggest ; and urging 
conviction, " for the honour of the Sovereign and the laws, the 
safety of the weak, and the terror of the wicked." A bill was 
drawn, read, and unanimously approved of, and Reynard was 
condemned to capital punishment. It were wise, however, for 
people to catch their fish before they count them. 




■ i : antoj i ■ 



ni ui jk 



MA I, K PK RTUS C A.STLE 



Home! sweet home' 
There's no place Like tome 1 



%\t *tori? of ilepara the fat. 



l'.l 




Chapter tljc Hirtjr. 



T became necessary that a new commissioner be chosen, 
[in order to bring the arch offender to justice, and the 
choice of the house unanimously fell on Malkin the Cat, 
who, conscious of the extreme hazard of the mission 
imposed on him, and fearing disgrace and discomfiture, 
urged a thousand reasons not to be employed on this piece 
of state service, seeing how stronger beasts than he had been 
hood-winked and circumvented. "It is your wisdom, Sir Malkin, 
I employ," said the great King, "and nol your strength; many 
prevail with art, when violence returns with losl Labour; we 
brook not reply." With a heavy heart Malkin made ready for 
his journey, and being well acquainted with the intricacies and 
sinuosities of the road, arrived at Reynard's tbrtalice aboul 

eventide. He found the object of his search sitting comfortably 
with Dame Emelin, his wife, their children sporting around 
tlnin. Alter a slight but kindly greeting, the new envoy 
produced the King's summons, and assured the recusant that, 
if the tenor of the document was not instantly complied 



20 %\t Btm 0f $*parlr % fa*. 

with, " there is nothing more assured unto you than a cruel 
and sudden death." " Welcome, welcome to my poor habita- 
tion," said Eeynard ; " in you I behold the representative of my 
master, whom I revere. We have a gracious King, and a just 
senate. My life and lands are at his pleasure whom you serve ; 
but you see it is late — so, walk in and spend the night in my 
humble domicile. I shall carefully peruse the royal letters, while 
my wife makes ready a cleanly, though, I fear, a coarse supper. 
But pardon me, my dear cousin, what food do you fancy best ; we 
have delicious honey." " You will pardon me for making so 
free ; but I prefer a delicate mouse to all the honey and nectar in 
the world." " Now, dear friend," says the Fox, " I can suit your 
appetite better than the royal purveyor can do even to our impe- 
rial master. My neighbour the parson has yards full of tithes, 
dairies full of cheese, vaults full of corn, so that the mice there 
are not only plentiful, but excel the finest venison in flavour." 
" Ah ! " says Malkin, " the sooner you lead me there the better. 
You know the old adage, 'A parson's mouse is most delicious 
fare.' ' Then away they went to the parson's barn, which was well 
walled about with a mud wall, where but the preceding night the 
Fox had broken in and stolen a fat hen, at which the worthy parson 
was so justly incensed, that he had set a snare before the hole to 
catch him at his next coming, which the false Fox knew of, and 
therefore said to the Cat, " Sir Malkin, creep in at this hole, and 
you shall not tarry a minute's space before you have more mice of 
the first quality than you are able to discuss ; hark ! how they 
squeak ! When you are satiated, come to me again, for I will 



Z\n $tonj of SJtpartl thf |0*. 21 



wait for you at this hole. To-morrow we shall go together to 
court, but stay not too long, for I know my wife will hourly 
expect us." Malkin sprang quickly in at the hole, but in a 
moment was caught by the neck in the snare, by which he was 
half strangled — the more so, indeed, as he struggled for life, and 
mewed most piteously. "You sing most sweetly, dear cousin." 
says the betrayer, "and [ make no doubt but you could dance 
equally well, were it not for that confounded trap, which spoils 
the gracefulness of your movements. As you are a cat of quality, 
you should have had your mice cooked according to the canons ol 
Soyer, and not rushed on the harmless creatures, like a rapacious 
courtier as you are." The servants were all alarmed, and the cry 
was set up, u The Fox is taken!" and away they all ran to where 
poor Malkin was caught in the snare, and without finding out 
their mistake, they beat him unmercifully, and wounded one of 
his eyes. Mad with pain, the Cat suddenly gnawed the cord, 
sprang on one of the head servants, and scratched him so severely 
that he tainted; and when every one ran to afford his mite of 
assistance, Malkin leaped out of the hole, and limped as fast as 
his wounded legs would carry him to court, where the King was 
extremely angry at the treatment he had received, and in rage com- 
manded his council to nominate yet another messenger to bring 
that audacious rebel Reynard to justice, when Grevincus the Badger, 
Reynard's sister's son. fearing it would likely go hard with his 
uncle, volunteered to carry his Majesty's message to his most subtile 

kinsman, to which the King graciously Consented; BO GrBVUlOUfl 

set forth, and ere long arrived ;it thf castle of his relatives. 



22 %\t Stunr uf JJtpjrlr % Jut. 



C|a|to % Skiwrtjj. 




•+m* 



AVING saluted the Fox, he said, " Take heed, uncle, 

that your refusal to come to court may not do you more 

7"S harm than yon are aware of; for the complaints 

gainst you are many and grievous. This is the third 

summons, and if you delay coming, you and yours will 

■ 

find no mercy, for in three days your castle will be demolished, 
all your kindred made slaves, and you yourself a public ex- 
ample, unless indeed you can make your innocence appear, 
which I doubt not, but by discretion and ingenuity you can; 
false pleading, you well know, is often as fortunate as true. 
How many capital suits has Grumble the Ass gained, who seldom 
speaks sense, and never speaks truth?" Whereupon Eeynard put 
on a shew of candour, and said, " Why should I distrust the court, 
or fear my judges '? My cause is just, my innocence is injured ; but 
that I hope soon to clear up. If the Monarch and his ministers 
encourage slander and slanderers, the demand will always bring a 
supply ; but who in such a state of things can be safe. I grant 




T E M P T A T I C M '. 



Sad memory "brings the lisSi 
f ' i!: • I £LTi arc nn.l ni' ■ 



%\n Stonr of Jeparb the £qz. 



23 



that I have failings, but who are without tliem ? In trifles I 
may now and then transgress, but nothing serious can be proved 
against me. I'll go to Caesar. My honour has been injured, and 
my name made a byeword. I shall obliterate all this, or bravely 
fall." While wending his way to the royal presence his sincerity 
was put to a severe test, having been required to pass a well- 
known poultry yard, which had often contributed to his larder. 
He triumphed, however, and on consideration, thought it would 
not be altogether out of place to enumerate a few of his crimes, 
which he had heretofore denominated failings, by way of confes- 
sion, to his nephew Grevincus, who had always led an hermit's 
life. The catalogue is by far too long for a place here, but it 
consists of thefts, robberies, and murders — lambs, hares, rabbits, 
geese, ducks, cocks, hens, pigs, all perished beneath the voracious 
fangs of this irreclaimable freebooter. In one word, he was a 
terror to the whole district where he lived; and although he had 
address enough to elude his pursuers, he was well known In 
every farmer, cottager, and gamekeeper in the country-side. He 
even had the hardihood to glory in his misdeeds, and set some of 
them to measure and music. Take the following as a specimen : — 

"Eh," quo' the Tod, "it's a braw lighl night, 
The win's i' the w;i-t, an' the mune shines bright, 
The win's i' the wast, mi' the nrane shines bright, 

An' 1 'II aw a' to the lomi, 0! 



■• I was down amang yon shepherd's serous, 
I had like i" been worried by bis dogs, 
But, by my sooth ! I minded his bo 

Thai oighl I •■am' to the toon, !" 



24 



Itonr jotf l^psri tftt fas. 



He's ta'en the grey goose by the green sleeve, 
" Eh, ye auld witch ! nae langer shall ye leeve ; 
Tour flesh it is tender, your banes I maun preeve. 
For that I cam' to the toun, !" 

Up gat the auld wife out o' her bed, 
An' out o' the window she shot her auld head — 
" Eh, gudeman I the grey goose is dead, 

An' the Tod has been i' the toun. ! " 




^*^->- 



fk jstorn of geparfr % |o*. 



25 



Chapter t|e (Jrtgjrtl). 




•!-*-.■ 



HE news of Reynard's arrival spread like wildfire 

through the assembly. When he took his place near 

- < ^y^ "' r ^ lc throne, every member of that august house stood 

■^vp&s* up in order to catch a glance of one so celebrated. Some 

*\<6.y feared him — some pitied him — others despised him — and 

* many hated him. \\ ith the withering glance of injured 

innocence, he indignantly scowled on the junto, and, falling on his 

knees before the throne, he called loudly for justice. " Lowly, ( I 

Caesar! like my altered fortunes, I sue at your feet for law and 

justice ! My greatest crime has been my inflexible attachment 

to your person and government. Had J, like some pretended 

loyalists, sold your subjects' charters and their lives, to enrich 

myself — had I sent your favourite heroes to their certain fate — 

had I betrayed your fleets and armies by secret correspondence 

to your Majesty's enemies, I had not this day been encompassed 

with such impending dangers. Like certain others, I might have 

purchased Large estates, erected lordly mansions, and fostered mj 

family on the Lap of wealth at the expense of my country : bnl mj 



26 



%\t St0rg 0f $*pat& \\t |h. 



patriotic principles were too strong, and my duty to your Majesty 
paramount to my very existence. Believing your Majesty to be 
wise and just, I troubled you with no petitions, knowing well that 
rounded periods and florid eloquence, where truth is lacking, 
would have been as smoke in your nostrils. Conscious that my 
services were sincere, both in word and action, and secure in 
rectitude, I considered myself above the reach of malice. They 
have traduced me, but how can they prove their allegations ? 
they have impeached me, but how can they bring home guilt to 
me ? They have charged me with disloyalty and malversation — 
let them prove it." Here, folding his arms across his breast, he 
made a profound obeisance, and retired backward. " Peace, 
recreant," exclaimed the King, I loathe to hear thy vile defence 
and thy wicked plea. Thy crimes are enormous, so shall be thy 
punishment. A more wretched cause than thine was never 
vindicated — a more atrocious villain never stood up in a court of 
justice, urging laws and citing precedents. Thy treason is already 
proved; behold Bruin's wounds and Malkin's lacerations ! Were 
such felons as thee allowed to go at large, our very slaves would 
insult us !" 

With more than Oriental humility in his demeanour, Reynard 
ventured to ask, " Why should Bruin's folly be charged on me ? 
Like a plunderer as he was and is, and while holding your 
Majesty's seal of office, he went forth under cloud of night to rob 
an honest man's bee-hives, and if he was caught in a cleft oak, 
was that any fault of mine ? I humbly submit that he has 
disgraced himself for ever — brought obloquy on the commission 



he bears — and that his evidence is inadmissible. The case of 
Malkin is equally atrocious. In place of following up the letter 
of his instructions, and making every thing give way, in order 
that your Majesty's behests might be obeyed with promptitude, 
the brainless coxcomb, giving way to his gluttonous propensities, 
neglected or despised the high commission with which he was 
charged ; and, like a common burglar, feloniously broke into the 
parson's enclosures, to the disgrace of himself and the dishonour 
of your Majesty; and if he was caught in a gin, and half strangled, 
lacerated, and buffeted, he really deserved it, but I humbly 
submit that I could neither foresee nor prevent what took place. 
Tf it is your Majesty's high pleasure to put me to the rack, devour 
me by fire, or suspend me from a gibbet, I shall gladly die a 
martyr to the state; but historians hereafter will arise, who, I 
hope, shall do justice to my memory ; the example will not be 
lost, and I shall not have died in vain !" 





fo.°* O"**** **«>•-. 



^ ^- 




Cjragter % jmt| 



-HH* 




^#i^^^OT was the debate, and learned were the arguments 
^ which pervaded the assembly ; much eloquence and 
j|( more verbiage were displayed for and against the 
^S? accused. Some attempted to vindicate Bruin ; others 
stood up in favour of Malkin ; a small knot of third-rate orators 
spoke in favour of Eeynard; but it was evident from the 
beginning that the great majority would vote for the death 
of the culprit at the bar. The bill was read thrice, and 
ultimately it was touched with the golden sceptre, which was 
decisive of the fate of the criminal. " Our very enemies," says 
the Monarch, " will confess that lenity has been often fatal to 
the throne and the laws, Traitors abuse the royal clemency. 
A base impostor, intoxicated with the hopes of empire, which 
hopes have been fed by the factious, has had his crimes laid 
bare before us, and no doubt remains on our mind that he 
has been bribed thereunto by foreign powers." Whereupon the 
senate arose simultaneously, and yelled forth, " Long live the 
King, and down with the rebel." The attainted baron was stript 
of his cognisance, and fettered; and the Sheriffs with their 
officials brought out the doomed from the presence, to be 



Zbj Sftati of lUnmtro the Jta. 



29 



consigned into the hands of the finisher. Reynard ever had few 
friends, but now, when fortune had seemed to have forsaken him, 
these diminished to half a dozen of his blood relations ; who wept 
and lamented, not so much, perhaps, for the impending fate of 
their kinsman as for the disgrace which his ignominious exit 
would bring on themselves. " What a pity," cried they, " that 
his untimely end should stain the ancient honours of our race ! 
Why should Ave witness it '? — let us turn to Caesar and crave leave 
to return to our homes, that we may mourn in secret and in 
silence." " Peers, powers, and sages," replies the King, " I know 
you to be loyal and just, nevertheless, I cannot trifle with justice. 
Faction is in favour of Bruin, who has been anything but prudent, 
and no doubt deserves to be executed', of that hereafter. But your 
cousin must be hanged ; there is no mercy in store for such a 
flagrant rebel, but that circumstance shall never make me part 
with you, nor lose the benefit of your counsel." 

Accordingly Bruin and Malkin pinioned Reynard's hands 
behind his back ; and Isegrim the Wolf, although imbrued with 
innocent blood, was as noisy and as eager to have Reynard 
brought to the gallows, as if he had been as pure and as honest as 
Keyward the Hare, or any other harmless beast. Shoving and 
pressing through the gaping crowd, he cried, — "Come on, bring 
the thief along ; let some fetch the halter, and let others bring the 
ladder; I'll guard him safe, and sec him fairly swung. Haste! if 
the rascal escapes, we shall have to pay dearly for our negligence. 
Look sharp, the knave is as slippery as an eel ; perhaps he may 
yet wriggle through our fingers. Lord Bruin, I entreat you, 



have a care of him." "My life for his," says the Bear, "until 
you are entirely ready, leave the vagabond with nie; fix you 
all the tackling securely, and see that the gibbet be well driven 
into the ground. Meanwhile the Queen, radiant in beauty, and 
glowing with gold and jewels, appeared on the ground to behold 
the death-scene of such a notable public offender as Reynard. 
Immediately all eyes were turned on her Majesty ; when Isegrim 
the Wolf cried out with vehemence, " Are you mad to loose this 
rogue ? I know his malice, as well as his cunning ; if he get 
away from us, your necks will be in danger ! " Reynard, as a kind 
of forlorn hope, appeals to the Wolf. " If, noble Isegrim, you 
despise justice, friendship, or gratitude, never forget that my 
blood circulates in your veins ; this should move your pity — your 
care is needless. I am, alas ! too weak ; a silken thread or a 
spider's filament would secure me ; for what, then, are you so 
barbarous ? and why will you reward my good with evil?" "I'll 
dash my halbert in your teeth," replies Bruin. " Come, noose 
him quickly; we'll teach him, brother Isegrim, how to plot 
against the state." All Reynard's arts of persuasion having 
failed, he was at length pinioned, and carted to the foot of the 
gibbet. Stung by terror and remorse, he begged leave, as a final 
favour, to make a speech before the fatal noose was applied to his 
neck. This piece of formality was reluctantly granted ; and, 
protruding his snout over the cart, he said, — " Good people, my 
destruction has been long threatened, and death has come at last ; 
my crimes sit heavy on me, in pity let me ease my mind. If you 
will petition your gracious Sovereign, he may yet prolong my daya: 



, > 




D A H G I 



%bt Stern of Vitnnartr % fos. 31 



I have much to confess, and, believe me, it is of great importance 
to the state, but this I can only relate to the King. It is for my 
Sovereign's interest, and that of the whole empire. Small venial 
trespasses I will own here, such as robbing orchards, slaying 
geese, chickens, turkeys, and all sort of fowl, young kids, pigs, 
lambs, and various small quadrupeds. But Sir Isegrim, who is so 
wondrous busy here to-day, shared the plunder, and should also 
share the shame. We roamed together, and, in a friendly manner, 
I invited him to my house. The winter stores which I had 
provided, he stole again and again; and my family would have 
starved but for the golden treasure which I discovered in a 
ruin. I never revealed this piece of good fortune, although the 
hoard was worth the ransom of ten kings. Some foreign enemy, 
I suppose, had sent this great mass of golden ore to purchase 
votes against the Government." As the sound of "gold" fell on 
the tympanum of royalty, he cried loudly from a scaffold— 
"Carman, hold! Inform us, Reynard, where this treasure is 
hidden. Speak out, man, and despise the fury of thy enemies!" 
"For what," says Reynard, "can such a heap of gold be hid 
but for mischief to your Majesty? My enemies, it' I were 
dead, believe that their treasonable plot would prosper; and 1 
would have divulged this important Btate secret sooner, but your 
Majesty was wroth, and would not grant me a hearing. I know, 
of a truth, that the money is still in the same place where I found 
it; and, if your highness will condescend, I will show your 
Majesty the secret passage." The Kin-- drank in the Bton 
greedily, and longed vehemently to touch the precious metal. 



32 



n itou of ppara % f 0*. 




Cjyapta i|e C*irt|- 



ER Majesty tlie Queen sat and listened to the story 
of this new Eldorado with more than ordinary atten- 
, tion and solicitude ; and, smiling graciously on the 
Fox, replied — " you must not think to impose on us 
with your ingenious falsehoods ; but if you really speak 
the truth, I shall use my feeble interest with his Majesty to 
disengage you from the noose, and procure you a reprieve, 
perhaps a pardon." — "Alas! madam," says Reynard, "this 
is neither the time nor place to utter falsehoods. My friends 
and brethren, I fear, will be found not wholly guiltless, as 
I wish they were, but I durst not at this hour presume by 
lies to avert a righteous sentence. His Majesty would soon 
discover the deceit, and I should be more wretched than ever, 
to be repinioned and sent back. I defy the most implacable 
of my enemies to urge I ever would impose on wisdom and 
sagacity, such as all the world knows his gracious Majesty 
eminently possesses. If so, the world might well believe me to 
be as great a fool as Isegrim, and as stupid as Bruin." Since 



%\t Stonr at gepartr t\t Jta, 33 

the moment her Majesty heard of the golden tidings, her bowels 
yearned for the treasure ; so, leaning fondly on the Monarch's 
shoulder, she patted his cheek and said — u It grieves my heart 
to the core, my lord, this cruel piece of business. Indeed, and 
indeed, you must not hang poor Reynard. You will be the 
cause of my death if you proceed any farther, especially when 
you know that my whole heart is bent upon saving him. His 
Majesty, with a combination of love and benevolence in his 
looks, gazed on the Queen and said — "We desire him to reveal 
all he knows, and as we like his story, so shall it be done unto 
him; the noose may be relaxed, and the condemned permitted 
to speak." Whereupon Reynard, with trembling lip and faltering 
accent, made the following disclosure: — u My liege, the treasure 
which I have alluded to, I willingly confess was stolen; and had 
it not been stolen in that manner in which it was, it might have 
cost your Majesty your life. Long may that inestimable life 
be extended." When the Queen heard of her lord's life being 
in hazard, she started up and said — " I command you, as you 
value your own life, unfold all those doubtful speeches, and 
keep nothing secret that concerns the life of my royal husband." 
"Know then," says th doomed one, "my dread Sovereign, that 
my father, by a strange accident, digging in the ground, found 
a great mass of treasure, jewels innumerable, and gold beyond 
calculation, of which being possessed, he grew so proud and 
haughty, that he held all the beasts of the forest in scorn and 
derision. At last he despatched Malkin the Cat to the forest of 
Arden, where Brain the Bear sojourned for the time being, and 



tendered him fealty and homage, and offered to place the imperial 
crown on his head — desiring him to come into Flanders, where 
he would find ways and means to accomplish his traitorous 
purpose. Bruin being excessively ambitious, and having long 
thirsted for sovereignty, thereupon came to the place of rendez- 
vous, where rny father received him with regal magnificence. 
They were joined by Isegrim the Wolf, Malkin the Cat, and my 
nephew Grevincus the Badger. These five held solemn council 
for the space of a whole night ; and being intoxicated by my 
father's inexhaustible wealth, it was agreed that your Majesty 
should be forthwith murdered, and Bruin crowned king, with 
immediate possession of all the rights, privileges, and immunities 
which you or your royal predecessors ever enjoyed, together with 
a complete monopoly of all the honey found in the various 
bee-hives in the kingdom ; and if any of your blood or kin 
gainsayed them, that assassins should be hired with a portion of 
my father's treasure, who should exterminate them — root and 
branch — from the forest.* To these horrid and treasonable 
measures each and all of them took the big oath, with all its 
formalities, to make it feel the more solemn and binding. Under 
the influence of rich old champagne — a wine which he had never 
been accustomed to — my nephew Grevincus blabbed the secret to 
his wife, who, in great secrecy told the matter to my wife, and 
she discovered it to me. It grieved me to the heart to think that 
they should depose my own rightful Sovereign, to whom I had 
sworn allegiance, and elevate a clumsy vulgarian like Bruin to 
* See Centre Illustration of Frontispiece. 



. ;'""^i ^.",'.~v><= 




■ . ' 



TUl'l ROYAL PHY SI CI AX 



Knew marry an Amu Jet and. Gaaxm. 
Thai would do neither £ood nor harm-. 



JiVniHRJ. 



jstorg of llcnnarb the $nx. 



the imperial purple ; and knowing- that money is the sinews of 
treason as well as of war, I became desirous of finding- out my 
father's treasure, and by constant watching, both by night and 
day, I at length, to my infinite joy, discovered his hoard, and with 
the assistance of my wife, removed it to a place more convenient 
for us, where we laid it safe from the search of all and sundry. 
When my unhappy father went to view his treasures, and found 
them all taken away, he rent the air with his bowlings, and 
wandered from place to place, but could find no rest. He at last 
grew gloomy and morose, and, finding his misery beyond 
endurance, he hanged himself. It is meet that I take thie 
opportunity to remind your Majesty of my father's services as 
court-physician; and that, soon after your Majesty's ascension to 
the throne, having been struck down by a grievous malady, you 
were restored to health, strength, and the functions of royalty, by 
the medical skill and perseverance of him who is now no more. 
Thus have I defeated Bruin's treason — thus have I circumvented 
the deep-dyed traitor Isegrim — and hence all mv misfortunes 
have accumulated on my devoted head. These foul conspirators 
being of your Majesty's privy council, and having your royal 
name constantly in their mouths, they traduce me, tread on me. 
and work my disgrace. But although I have lost my natural 
father for your sake, I would gladly lay down my own life also 
for V"u; but I detest the idea of dying under the false accusations 
of my political enemies. 'Tis that, and that alone, which 
embitters the cup." Now their Majesties felt an ardent desire to 
possess the treasure; and the Queen stepped forward, and 



whispered — " Discover where this immense wealth is concealed 
ere it be too late ; I shall intercede for you ; his Majesty is not of 
an implacable nature ; he is as generous as he is brave. Disclose 
the secret, and trust to the King's clemency." " Why, Madam," 
replied Reynard, " should I give this enormous treasure to one 
who has condemned me? Your Majesties put implicit faith in 
the asseverations of my enemies, who are thieves and murderers, 
while you disbelieve every word I say in defence." " Courage, 
Reynard ! my lord shall not only forget the past, but sign your 
pardon also ; nay, more, a portion of the riches shall be reserved 
for your especial use and benefit, while a small sum shall be 
scattered among the rabble, in order to gain you popularity ; and, 
no doubt, I will retain somewhat for my own private use, as a 
remuneration for my intercession." " My most gracious princess," 
says the accused, " if the King will vow in your presence that I 
have his pardon, he shall be the most wealthy sovereign of the age 
in which he lives!" "Believe not the arch deceiver," said the 
King, " except when he confesses to robbery, murder, and 
falsehood." The Queen put on one of her most fascinating 
smiles, and said, — " No doubt Reynard's past life has not earned 
for him either our regard or confidence ; but think only how he 
has accused his own father — to me that sounds very like sincerity 
of purpose; and therefore I implore your Majesty to extend your 
clemency to him this once." " Well, on the faith of your 
sagacity," said the King, "I'll pardon him; but it is the last 
time, so let him be cautious for the future." Kneeling down, his 
eyes glistening with pretended gratitude, the Fox looked upwards 



to their Majesties and exclaimed — " Imperishable honour and 
enduring renown be yours ! your goodness I shall ever confi 
Sooner shall envy cease to traduce merit, or modesty prevail over 
impudence — sooner shall sectaries forget their hatred, or misers 
their hoarded treasure, than I shall forget your Majesty's royal 
clemency — this is, indeed, the brightest jewel in your imperial 
crown. Now I will tell you where the treasure is hid, and shall 
tell nothing but the truth : — 

u There is a forest in Flanders which has as yet escaped 
the ravages of war. Some give it one name, some another — 
the neighbours call it Hustelo. A rapid river runs through 
it, which, from its springs to where it debouches into the sea, 
glides past a hundred towns. Here the larks warble matins. 
and the nightingales sing their vesper songs. An enormous oak. 
which has stood the shock of tempests for many ages, is con- 
spicuous above all the trees of the forest; at its root Hows a 
fountain, and hard by is a dark deep cavern. That no one may 
reveal the secret, you must descend yourself and explore it in 
person. You will find an imperial crown, worn formerly l>\ 
Emmeric. The rebels, who so successfully abused your Majesty's 
ear, had purchased it for the head of Bruin, when you should either 
be decapitated <>r abdicate. There arc also hid precious pearls, 

and valuable jewels tor his dowdy queen. And I humbly trust 
that when your .Majesty is in undisputed possession of this great 
treasure, you will not forget your loyal slave, who has impover- 
ished himself and brought his father's memory to infamy, thai 
your Majesty might be great, glorious, and tree." Whereunto flic 



38 fire Stflrfi of $*parfc ijre |h. 

King replied, — " Reynard ! If thou art sincere, what need have 
we to go so far ourselves? 'Tis below our state to travel; and 
moreover, I have heard of Flerus and the Meuse, of Arden and 
Enghien, of Cologne, Antwerp, Brussels, Namur, and Mons, but 
never of Hustelo. In whose dominions does this forest grow? 
In what map will we find it? Is it in Eutopia or the country 
of Prester- John ? Ah, Reynard, I know thou lovest a lie ! and 
I fear this is one." " It grieves me to the heart's core," says 
Reynard, " that I should be thought capable of deceiving my 
own Sovereign. Hustelo is in Flanders, which I shall prove by 
the testimony of travellers who have been in the locality. With 
your Majesty's gracious permission I shall cite the Hare as an 
unimpeachable witness." The heralds call on Key ward the 
Hare, who, at the summons, trembled in every limb ; the fear 
of Reynard fell on him, and he confirmed the statement by 
affirmation. * " When hinds and hounds pursued me, I have often 
retreated to the forest of Hustelo, I think they call it ; and there 
is a tradition that a profane prince, called Sylvio, hid money 
there; and the story goes that the place has been haunted ever 
since. This is vouched for by the wicked; as for me, I dare 
attest no more than that the forest is there." 

" Enough," replied the Sovereign. " We shall depart on the 
important mission to-morrow, and you, Reynard, shall point out 
the spot; so make preparation." 

" I know of no higher honour, no greater distinction, than 
the privilege of accompanying you, my beloved Sovereign, on 
. * See Frontispiece. 



this or any other enterprise. No higher fortune could have 
fallen on me; but, alas! Fortune has never been a Mend to me. 
If I had been in a condition to have attended on your Majesty, 
then poets would have celebrated my name in immortal verse. 
I should have been recorded in history as the companion of a 
king, and unborn generations would have sounded my praise. 
But my company and companionship would scandalize your 
Majesty. I am under the ban of Rome, and lie under the 
sentence of the greater excommunication. I am ashamed <>f the 
fact, but I must confess it. It will, I trust, be another link in 
the chain of evidence, that my whole testimony is honest and 
candid. Tsegrim took it into his silly head to become a friar; 
lu- sported the cowl, tied a cord around his waist, went through 
all the stages of discipline, fed on monastic fare, such as herbs 
and roots, begged from door to door even for that. I became 
vexed to sec his hones protruding through his hide, and aided 
and assisted him to desert the church and take refuge in my 
poor domicile. The rage of the bishop knew no hounds. Be 
declared me a reprobate, cursed me from the altar, and accused 
me of heresy. What would your subjects say if they saw your 
Majesty holding intercourse with a spiritual outlaw, lie-ides, [a 
it decent to have intimate communication with a newly pardoned 
felon? By waiting on your Majesty on the present occasion. I 
should rather disgrace you than be of service to you. My name 
would reflect on yours, and the Flemings would make a jesl of 
yourself, your mission, and your train. No, no; I mus! en 
the Alps, make my appearance before the sovereign pontiff, 



propitiate liim by gold and penitence, purchase large quantities 
of indulgences, kiss the toe of St. Peter's successor, and obtain 
absolution; and when I return with a newly scoured conscience, 
with your Majesty's pardon in one pocket and the Pope's in 
the other, my fame shall have been recqyered and my mind at 
peace, and then shall I follow you to Flanders, or where you 
please." The King approved of his reasons, and ordered him to 
proceed on his pilgrimage forthwith ; enjoining him to procure 
the counsel of some pious and discreet friend, and to observe 
fasting, and let his future life atone for the past. A throne was 
erected on the green, to which the King and his royal consort 
mounted. Silence was declared, on pain of forfeiture. Not the 
least murmur was heard through the crowd. The nobles lay 
dejected on the sward, while Reynard is preferred to a distin- 
guished place. Though all envy the distinction, none dare 
condemn the favour that advanced him there. Bis Majesty told 
them that he preferred lenity to severity. " If the laws are 
cruel I am not so. We cherish the great and we maintain the 
poor. All have relief and succour in this court. Your just 
rights shall be supported, and we desire only to reign in your 
hearts. I have state reasons for striking the chains off Reynard. 
Whom I bound I can loose ; and throughout my wide empire 
I declare him free, and whoever wrongs him injures me." 



%\t Stati «f llcparii ttrc f«. u 




Chapter tl)t (tlcbnttlj. 



iW^^fc^HE tidings of Reynard's pardon ran through the woods 
with great rapidity; having so suddenly grown great 
in his master's favour, indicated danger to the persons 
or offices of certain statesmen, who had recently hoped 
to feasl their eyes, and glut their vengeance on then 
implacable foe. A general discontent crept over the multitude; 
many grew jealous at his rapid elevation in courl favour, while 
Isegrini and Bruin were almost reduced to despair. Snapping bifi 
budget on his back, and grasping his pilgrim's staff, Reynard, al 
the proper time, commenced his journey, making pious genu- 
flexions, and appearing as simple as a new made novice. Man\ 
were the farewells be uttered, rendered half inarticulate b) sighs 
and sobbing. He was attended in bis pilgrimage l>\ I'.ellin the 
Ram as domestic chaplain, and the Rabbit, who had pitied him 

very much when fortune had apparently forsaken him; and 
having gathered a basket of delicious fruit, be broughl it along 
with him. to lie presented to the pilgrim at their firsl baiting 

place; for the Rabbit being rather a siuiple youth, and well 



42 %\% %in% at Itpartr t\}t $a%. 

disposed, was highly gratified at the apparent piety of Eeynard, 
and considered it his duty to encourage reformation, not only in 
his sagacious neighbour, but also in all carnivorous animals — 
for the poor Rabbit was a strict vegetarian, and often attempted to 
infuse a taste for vegetables among his associates. On the party 
journeyed, but in place of proceeding to the city of the seven 
hills, the leader made the best of his way to his fortalice of 
Malepartus. " Bellin, my reverend friend," says the pilgrim, 
" remain outside and enjoy the sweet grass ; I will take my young 
companion in with me to console my poor wife, for the, tones of 
his voice are much softer than mine, and fitter for a lady's ear." 
So the poor Eabbit went in with Eeynard, where he found Dame 
Ermelin sorrowing in a dark chamber, for she had despaired of 
ever beholding her husband again. Seeing him enter with staff, 
scrip, and scallop shell, she burst into a frenzy of joy, and said, 
"Eeynard, my love, how has it gone with you." "Ah!" he 
said, " I was condemned upon false evidence, but the King 
extended his pardon. ' I left him as a pilgrim, and Isegrim and 
Bruin have become bail for me. His Majesty bestowed the Eabbit 
on me as a peace-offering 5 we may do with him as best suits us, 
for the King told me at parting that it was he who betrayed me." 
The fear of death descended* on the Eabbit, and he sought to 
escape ; but Eeynard stood in the doorway, and seized him by the 
neck. Loud were his cries for help from Bellin : "I am undone ! 
The pilgrim murders me." But he did not cry long, for the Fox 
soon bit his throat asunder. " Come now, and let us dine on 
him, — 'tis the first time the simpleton has been good for 



%\t Storn of VicnnarD the fur*. 43 

anything." It was thus he received his too trusting friend and 
visitor. During the repast, Dame Ermelin was very inquisitive 
as to how he acquired his freedom ; but Reynard told her the 
story was too long and intricate for recital on the present occasion. 
" This much I will say, however, that the friendship between 
me and his Majesty will be of short duration. When he dis- 
covers the truth, I have no more mercy to expect.'" Meanwhile 
Bellin cried impatiently on the Rabbit to come forth, whereupon 
Reynard went out and said, u My dear sir, my young friend 
entreats that you will pardon him ; he is enjoying the society 
of my wife, who is his near relation, and he begs that you will 
amuse yourself for a few minutes longer." Then said Bellin, 
" I heard what appeared to me to be cries of murder. Have 
you done any mischief to him?" The Fox replied, " I was 
talking of the perils of my pilgrimage, at which my wile 
became so alarmed that .she fainted. This frightened the 
innocent Rabbit, and he screamed for help ! " " 1 know," 
said the Ram, " that he cried as in agony." " Not a hair of 
him has been hurt," swore the Fox. "Now I beg vmi will lull 
your suspicions asleep, and listen to me!* I have matters of 
grave importance which the King begged me to write down for 
him. I have just finished them, and I wish to entrust von with 
these letters. They contain prudent counsel, which is only meant 
to meet the royal eye." " Have a care then." says Bellin, " that 
you close them well, because I forgot my pocket-book, and wen 
the seals to break it might get me into trouble." " Leave that to 

Frontispii 



44 %\t Starg at $*parfo tty Jm 

me. There is a scrip made out of Bruin's hide, it is thick and 
strong, and will just hold the packet. You will be honourably 
rewarded, and who knows what you may yet obtain?" The Fox 
hastened back into the house, and stuffed the poor Eabbit's head 
into the scrip. " Hang the scrip round your neck, and be careful 
not to pry into the missives. I have tied it with a secret knot, 
known only to the King and myself, so that if you open it you 
will be assuredly found out. If you wish to secure the King's 
especial favour, you may tell him, when you come into the 
presence, with a joyful air, that you have brought a valuable 
packet, and that you helped to make it up. This, I think, will 
secure you the !*».__...* of our gracious master." The Earn was 
overjoyed, and hastened to court at the top of his speed. When 
the King saw him enter with the satchel, jbe exclaimed, " "What 
does all this mean '? Where is your friend the Eabbit ? Speak 
man!" "Gracious King," replied Bellin, " Eeynard bade me 
carry those letters ; you will find them contain important matters. 
What they enclose has been put in by my advice ; here they are ; 
Eeynard tied the knot. It was not for me to pry into your 
Majesty's affairs." When the head of the Eabbit was drawn forth, 
the King stood aghast, and several members of government 
fainted. Such an atrocity was unprecedented, and such an insult 
was not to be borne. The Monarch was convulsed with rage ; he 
made his throne to tremble under him, and in the whirlwind of 
his passion he doomed the reverend chaplain to the rack and the 
gibbet ; and, moreover, reflected severely on his own conduct in 
being swayed by the advice of the Queen. None durst attempt to 



calm him but the Pard, who had a double right, being president of 
the council, and also the Sovereign's near kinsman. " If passion 
is vile i^ a slave, consider how it becomes a King; to rave and 
threaten is beneath your Majesty ; you know the murderer, and 
you bear the sword of justice. Order Brain and Isegrim to be 
liberated Prom prison, restore order, punish Bellin according to his 
deserts, fo r he openly and impudently confessed that he advised 
the death f the Rabbit. We will then march forth against 
Reynard, investigate his conduct, probe his crimes, and let the 
irresistible arm of the law do what is fitting and proper on so 
momentous an occasion. The goods and chattels of Bellin the 
Hani may be <•, m'^ seated, and gifted over to the widowed Babbit, 
while Bruin an}d Isegrim may be pensio?'(m as a solatium to their 



wounded feeliiW and liaAnony re.«toiliu « ( lousing says the 
King, " I like jfeai counsel. Fetch the two. barons; they shall 
sit in the highest place next ourselves; all shall do homage to 
them ; and as an atonement to those gentlemen, I will give up 
Bellin to them and their heirs for ever." The Ram was 
executed; and all his relations, and all his posterity arc hunted 
by the race of Isegrim to this day. 



Cjrapier i\t CMfijr. 




■<***• 



IGH wassail and rich banqueting were held at court 

'<? for the space of eight days, in honour of tile liberation 

of the two great barons Bruin ard Isegrim, while 

^ Eeynard k^d^Within his stronghold. I The King sat 

at table beside tn^ -^l, , / 

" And all went merry as a marriage bell," 

When the Hare came before them bleeding, and exclaiming — 
" Sire, have pity on me. In obedience to your Majesty's pro- 
clamation, I hastened to court, and, taking the nearest way, I 
unhappily came near the gate of Eeynard' s castle. There he 
sat in a pilgrim's habit, reading what appeared to me to be 
some breviary or missal. He advanced towards me and saluted 
me politely ; but, when opportunity served, he seized me by the 
ears with such violence, that I thought my head was off. For- 
tunately I made a sudden spring, and, being swift of foot, escaped 
the fangs of the felon, but left one of my ears behind me. See 
how I bleed ! Look on these four holes in my neck. Sire, who 



f 



f be Storg a{ Beparfr % |os. 47 

can travel to your court, if robbers are thus suffered to waylay 
your subjects?" Before lie bad finished his complaint, in hopped 
Merkenau the Crow, and related a piteous story, how Reynard 
shammed dead on the heath one morning. " His eyes were 
twisted in his head, and his tongue hung out of his open mouth. 
I screamed again and again in order to ascertain if he was really 
dead ; my wife screamed also, but nothing seemed to move him ; 
I tapped on his breast and his head, my wife approached near 
to his chin, to hear if he breathed ; but no. We both were 
persuaded that he was quite dead. In her sorrow, my poor 
thoughtless wife put her bill into the rascal's mouth, and in one 
moment he snapped her head off. He made a dart at me also, 
but I flew up and sat on a tree. I saw the miscreant devour 
the dear creature; and when he was gone, I looked, and found 
a little blood and feathers only. Have compassion on your loyal 
subjects, Sire; for if the traitor escapes, the world will say that 
there are neither law nor justice within your realm." No sooner 
had the two complainants laid their grievances before the throne, 
than the Monarch took an oath in the presence of his two nobles, 
Bruin and Isegrim, that he would destroy Reynards family, root 
and branch. " My wife persuaded me, but I am not the first who 
has followed a woman's counsel and repented of it afterwards. 
Decide now, my loyal barons, how this culprit may be brought 
to judgment." The two barons liked the tenor of the royal 
speech, but dared not deliver their opinion, because the royal 
temper was a good deal ruffled; but her Majesty, knowing her 
influence over her lord, said — u Make no rash promise, especially 



48 %\t Stffrg 0f g*par& t\i $m. 

when your Majesty is a little chafed. Reynard has not been 
heard. His accusers would perhaps be silent were he here to 
explain matters. I thought Eeynard prudent and sensible, but 
he certainly gives his enemies occasion to scandalize his name. 
I may have been in error about him, but he undoubtedly is 
clever as a councillor, and his connections are influential. You 
will not make things better by too much precipitation ; and 
moreover, you are master here — with a code of just laws before 
you, which should be administered with impartiality and due 
deliberation." "With all respect and affection," replied his 
Majesty, "I might command, but I entreat you, our Queen, to 
be silent. War is determined on. His house shall be utterly 
laid waste, and his name blotted out. So let our nobles and 
their retainers get ready, with harness on their backs, together 
with bows, spears, and other weapons. We will lay siege to his 
castle of Malepartus, and take a survey of the inside thereof." 
Whereupon the assembly, with a great shout, agreed to his 
Majesty's proposal. When Grevincus, his cousin, heard that 
evil was determined against Eeynard, he hastened to his castle 
to communicate the fatal information, and put him on his guard. 
When he nearly reached it, he found the proscribed retreating 
homeward with two unfledged doves which had fallen to the 
ground, and which the gourmand had snapped up, for he was 
remarkably fond of fowl. Having seen Grevincus at a distance, 
he ran to meet him, and tendered a kindly welcome, paying him 
all manner of compliments. But the Badger, with unwonted 
haughtiness, desired him to desist from such fulsome and unmean- 



mj Storij of Bcnnarb the Jta. 49 



ing stuff. "Sir, you are in peril! You have brought rain on 
yourself and your house by your fraudulent actions; you have 
provoked the King beyond all endurance ; he vows to extirpate 
you and yours. In six days you will behold his army under 
your walls, led by Field-Marshall Isegrim ; while Bruin, who 
is ao-ain taken into favour, will collect such a mass of evidence 
against you as will quite overwhelm you." "If that be all. 
says the Fox, " I care not a rush. Though they have sworn to 
execute me over and over again, you see I have still escaped; 
aye, and still shall. They may debate, and do debate; bur it 
all cuds in smoke. Come in, cousin, and sup with me. These 
doves are young and tender — they require little mastication — 
their bones are sweet— they melt in the mouth — they arc half 
blood, half milk. Light diet suits me, and my wife is of the 
game opinion. Come in, then. She will be delighted to see you, 
only do not tell her what you came here for. The merest trifle 
makes her nervous. To-morrow I shall go to court with you, 
and face those mighty chiefs whose rage I shall laugh at, know- 
ing that I am always safe in their folly. I trust, nevertheless, 
that you will give me all the assistance in yum power, like a 
good kinsman." "All that a friend or brother should hazard foi 
yon will I do; and if* I have any little influence in high places. 
it is very much at your service." The Fox conducted the Badger 
into his house with great ceremony, and presented him to Dame 
Ermelin and her young family as a near relation. 



50 



%\t Stojj 0f $*partr t\t $0*. 



Chapter % CjfiritentJL 



jw* 




^HE lady of tlie mansion spread the board with good 
things 5 the two tender doves were not forgotten ; each 
partook of the dainty with zest ; and Grevincus was in 
ecstasies with the flavour of everything. When the 
cloth had been removed, and familiar chit-chat had 
taken place, Reynard said to his cousin the Badger, — "How 
do you like my family '? Do you not admire my children ? My 
eldest son, for instance, is he not like me every inch ? My second 
son, too, a strapping little fellow. He has his mother's leer, and 
he'll be the wag of the family. The rogues are both ripe already. 
They'll filch a pullet or nim a goose with the most practised of 
our sept • in truth they are fit for anything, and they will get on 
in the world, or they are no sons of mine. I would send them 
oftener out to hunt, but I must not neglect their education. They 
have to be taught prudence and foresight, and how to escape the 
snare, the huntsman, and the hound. When they have finished 
their education, they shall go out into the world and labour on 
their own accounts. Already they bite like a vice, and their leap 



%\t §torn of Alcpiuo the /o*. 51 



is as certain as tin- return of an unpaid creditor.'' Grevineus, like 
a sage, laid Ins paws upon their noddles, and tendered a long 
catalogue of good advices, much easier given than acted up to. 
The night waned apace, and the friends retired to their respective 
places of repose; but in place of sleeping, Reynard fell into a 
train of thinking, and slept none. Conscious guilt is a bad 
soporific, especially on the eve of appearing before one's accusers 
and judges; so he arose from his uneasy couch, and said to his 
w ife — "I am invited to court by our cousin Grevineus, which 
invitation I mean to comply with. Do not make yourself uneasy. 
Stop quietly at home. If anybody asks for me, you knoAv what 
to say, and you know full well how to take care of the castle."' 
Dame Ermelin used all her eloquence, and practised all her blan- 
dishments, to dissuade her lord from going to court. Every argu- 
ment she could think of was used to induce him to stay at home; 
hut all to no pm-pose. "Be calm, I entreat you; there is nothing 
to distress you rself about. I have business of importance; and 
in five or six days you will see me here again." So he set out for 
the court, together with Grevineus the Badger. The two friends 
scampered to court by paths only known to themselves, and, to a 
casual observer, they seemed to be in high glee. Guilt, never- 
theless, was pressing on the mind of the Fox ; and he could not 
help feeling misgivings as to his ultimate' acquittal. a I have 
abused his Majesty's ear; 1 have slain his faithful servant; 1 
have falsely entrapped Bellin, and had him unjustly executed: 
I wounded the Hare; I pul the Crow to death; and what I 
believe will tell against nie worst of all, is a trick I played on 



Isegrim. One day, as we travelled over a flowery meadow, we 
saw a beautiful Colt sporting by the side of its dam, and, being 
somewhat anxious for a tit-bit for dinner, I offered to buy the Colt 
of its mother, and asked the price. The Mare replied that the 
price was written on her hoof, and that it was ready cash. I 
pretended that I was no great scholar ; and Isegrim, wishing to 
display his abilities, put his spectacles on his nose, and pored 
over her hoof, as if he had been employed to cut her corns. 
Taking advantage of the precise moment, the lady salutes him 
with a tremendous kick, which sent him spinning breathless. 
His snout was battered, and his face was besmeared and clotted 
with gore — in one word, he cut a pitiable figure, while I sat on 
the park wall, and jeered him with all the ironical questions 
which occurred to me. He raved, and roared, and threatened; 
while I was thrilled by the very acme of enjoyment. There 
now, nephew, I have made confession; teach me how to obtain 
pardon." "Ah!" says Grevincus, "you are laden with fresh 
sins. They follow at your heels, and you have no time to escape 
them, for I fear you are near your end. You can never think to 
be forgiven for the death of the Babbit and the Crow; and the 
affront you have put on the noble baron Isegrim can neither be 
forgotten nor forgiven. How could you behave so rashly?" 
" Pooh," said Reynard, " one has to make one's way in the 
world. One can't behave as if he were in a monastery. He 
who sells honey, licks his fingers now and then. The Babbit's 
fat little body tickled me, and I forgot both love and prudence. 
As for Bellin, his stupidity gave me a great deal of trouble ; 



but Ave will change the subject. Were I to speak my mind I 
could tell you who are robbers and manslayers of the first order ; 
but I know full well my want of privilege, and therefore shall be 
silent." "I am astonished, uncle," said the Badger, "that von 
should confess the sins of other people, when you have so many 
of your own to think of." So they came near the court, and met 
Martin the Ape travelling out as a pilgrim. They stopped by the 
way, and Reynard had some confidential conversation with him. 
Reynard told how he was persecuted by his enemies, and, being 
under ban, was yet afraid to go to Rome, and leave his family 
in the vicinity of Bruin, one of his most deadly foes. The Ape 
enlightened his friend Reynard upon the practice of the Church 
of Rome; and having himself great interest with the Pope, 
promised to get the Fox his absolution, — for what says the 
couplet made by his Holiness' laureate? 

•• Pardons, indulgences, I buy and sell, 
They're good commodities, ami answer well. 
Willi money, yon your agenl musl supply, 
To bribe the Court, and what you want to buy 
The Pope will favour, and defend yen here, 
Lei heretics and unbelievers sneer." 

Reynard thanked his friend Martin the Ape for Ins kindness, 
and proceeded to court without farther delay with his kinsman the 
Badger. Saving again arrived at court. Reynard knelt before Ins 
Sovereign ; and asci ibing honour to his master in the mosl courth 
style of Language; nor did he forgel to pay those compliments to 
the Queen which was most agreeable to her royal husband's ear, 






and secretly pleasing to herself. The courtiers pressed round, 
astonished at his audacity ; but the King appeared fierce and 
implacable. " Renowned Monarch," said Eeynard, " you are 
crowned — not with the imperial diadem only — but with Valour, 
Victory, and Justice. Eewards and punishments are alike yours. 
The world expects that you should reward virtue and punish vice. 
All pretend to truth and honesty, but were our crimes written on 
our foreheads, Bruin and Isegrirn would not sit so near your royal 
person, nor loll upon the bench while I am trembling at the bar. 
I should then need no witnesses to prove my zeal and devotion to 
the person and government of my master. But I must check 
myself; I can have no reason to fear when you judge my cause." 
With an ingenious eloquence, he explained away the non- 
performance of his pilgrimage ; rebutted with great tact and talent 
the accusation of the Hare ; proved to the secret conviction of 
every one that the Crow had made a false accusation against him, 
and not only so, he proved that the Crow had committed the 
murder himself. Keyward the Hare and the Crow then left 
the court ; all shunned a war of words with such an accomplished 
orator; and Reynard was apparently on the eve of triumph, 
when the King arose in royal ire, terrific in his gestures and 
terrible in untamed majesty — reminding the horror-struck specta- 
tors of the sublime quatrain of the poet : — 

" He waved his sceptre north away, 
The Arctic ring was rift asunder ; 
And through the sky the startling bray 
Burst louder than the loudest thunder." — Hogg. 



Here the favourite nurse, whose untiring attention to the wants 
and weaknesses of majesty had entitled her to the high privilege 
of being seated in the royal presence, became hysterical with 
sheer terror, and the page upon her lap was b\ no means 
insensible to the probable consequences of such a paroxysm ; and 
having rolled himself into as small a space as possible, laid his 
head meekly on his paws, like an Oriental slave previous to 
decapitation ; while the moles penetrated into their deepesl 
fastnesses; and the crawling worms, with all the rapidity oi 
which they were capable, transformed themselves into little red 
globules, so as to be mistaken for damaged berries. 




56 



|.e Stori of %t%mt)x t\t $m. 



Cjrapto % Jf0nrt«iit|. 




EYNARD alone retained his equanimity in the 
midst of the hurricane, trusting to his unrivalled 
powers of persuasion. The Monarch babbled in- 
cessantly of the Rabbit's murder, and the execution 
of Bellin; but extreme passion diverted the current of his 
thoughts from their right channel, and choked his utterance 5 
' whereupon Reynard interposed in the blandest of his tones, 
but somewhat tremulous for the sake of effect, asked — " What do 
I hear ? Is the Rabbit dead, and is Bellin no more ? Alas ! I 
have lost a treasure with them, such as the most wealthy Jews 
have never been in possession of. They were the bearers to 
you of gold and gems, such as the world has seldom seen. 
Who could have believed that Bellin would have murdered 
the Rabbit, in order to rob his most gracious master the King? 
Alas ! this world is full of danger and deceit." The King did 
not listen to Reynard, but retired to his private chamber in very 
bad humour, where the Chamberlain was closeted with the 
Ape's wife, who pleaded hard for Reynard, and reminded his 



* 




Majesty of his ability, and of his wise decision in a certain 
contest between a countryman and a serpent. The King, a 
little soothed, returned into the judgment hall, still, however, 
threatening the Fox with death; while Reynard eloquently 
regretted the lost gifts, which, if he were free, he would live 
only to recover. He proceeded to describe the treasures with 
a minuteness that had all the appearance of truth, and with 
an air of sincerity and candour: — "I sent your Majesty a ring, 
on which were inscribed mystic letters, which only Abryon, the 
Jew of Treves, could read. He who wore it could not Buffer 
from cold or hunger; could not be defeated in a contest; could 
not be hated by a beholder; knew no darkness; and could not 
suffer by water or fire. There was a comb also, with a mirror, 
intended for the Queen, the wonders of which yet surpassed tin 
wonders of the rinff. Pictures were engraved on each." Reynard 
explained the fables appertaining to them, lie reminded the 
King of the services performed by his father as court physician; 
and who unhappily committed suicide from the pangs of fell 

remorse, for having for a moment swerved from his loyalty to 

his Majesty through weakness and evil companionship. lt The 
benefits which I received from your father are of such ;iu ancient 

date thai I forget them; but what good did I ever receive from 
you?" "I dare not bandy words with my royal master," said 
Reynard, ••hut I refer your Majesty to the testimony of your own 
heralds, who have publicly recorded many things honourable to 
my loyalty, and the reverse to my enemies. It would look life 
Belf-glorification were I to remind your Majesty of what 1 have 



58 



re St0rg at I*par& tty Jta. 



done for you, and which I cannot help believing you remember 
full well." Reynard again accused Isegrim of dastardly conduct, 
and, in an indignant style of eloquence, denounced him as a 
coward and a swindler, who was utterly incapable of practising 
honesty ; and that he was a disgrace to the assembly in which he 
sat, and to the court to which he was attached. The Bear was 
also characterised as a devourer of the weak, an insulter of the 
people, and an abuser of the royal power ; and lastly, with a loud 
voice and lofty bearing, he defied his accusers to mortal combat, 
— casting such a look on the Wolf as could neither be mistaken 
by the court or the challenged. The King was secretly overjoyed 
with Reynard's proposal, and instantly secured bail for the 
appearance of the combatants ; and ordered the lists to be pre- 
pared for the judicial duel. During the night, Reynard's friends 
did all in their power to prepare him for the combat. Dame 
Ruckenan the Ape, who had considerable experience in such 
matters, exhorted him to go fasting to the field, and to use the 
utmost strategy when engaged with his antagonist. " 'Tis not 
always strength that either obtains or secures victory, and there- 
fore you should lose no advantage. Let Grevincus, your relative, 
shave your body all over, except the continuation of the spine ; 
then have yourself anointed with a quantity of palm oil which I 
shall send you. Run round and round the lists until your enemy's 
heart palpitates, and his breathing grows difficult. You will see 
a small pool of water on the east side of the lists oozing from a 
brooklet, and thickened with dust. Immerse your brush there as 
you pass, and dash it in the eyes of your opponent. Do this 



%\t „§torn of iUnnart) the rov. 



59 









several times ere you come to close quarters with him; then, 
when lie is endeavouring to clear his optics, seize him by the 
throat, and, if possible, throw him to the ground. The ladies 
are wholly on your side, and when you have the semblance of an 
advantage, we will wave our handkerchiefs and cheer. This will 
not only encourage you, but it will depress the spirits of your 
adversary." The sinking hopes of the champion now revived ; 
and he attended minutely to the good counsel he had received, 
except in the matter of going to the field " fasting ; " for an 
unfortunate goose, happening to cross his path that eventful 
morning, never returned to the pond of her nativity ; and Reynard, 
having wiped his lips, wended his way to the lists, surrounded by 
his kinsmen and allies. 



s* 




60 



Mm% of lepart t\t Jm 



Cjrapter \\t jfifietn% 




lOT only was lie shaved and anointed agreeably to 
i instruction, but Ms joints ay ere lubricated with a 
peculiar kind of ointment; lie was, moreover, per- 
fumed with balm and other essences. His Majesty 
N^ was highly delighted to see him so spruce, and laughed 
frh> immoderately when he inspected his smooth well-oiled 
J body. " Go, Reynard ; glory or justice, or both, call thee 
to the lists. It is meet that thou shouldst defend thy fair fame at 
the hazard of thy life ; for to be imfamous is not to live, but to 
drag out a miserable existence." Lowly bowed the champion to 
his master, and eloquent were the thanks which he tendered him ; 
and T looking up with one of his blandest smiles, he bowed to the 
ground before her Majesty, and entered within the enclosed ground, 
declaring, that if he should prove dastardly enough to fly from 
his antagonist in her royal presence, that he deserved to be hanged, 
drawn, and quartered. While the whole assembly anxiously and 
painfully awaited the onset, the trumpet sounded, and the Wolf 
came roaring on the Fox, fierce as the angry Caspian when 
agitated by mountain blast ; but Reynard, in place of grappling 



%\i f torn of ilei)n;iro the /ov. 



61 



with, his mortal enemy, ran against the wind and scraped up dust 
into his pursuer's eyes. Occasionally he dipped his brush into 
the small pool of water, which had been secretly deepened a 
little, and dashed it with unerring aim full in the two glaring 
orbs of his foe. Again and again, like a skilful tactician, he 
practised this mode of desultory warfare, until [segrim became 
almost blinded; and, to add to his disasters, one of his eyes was 
almost torn from the socket by a random blow from the fore-foot 
of Reynard as he whisked round him. Long and arduous was 
the conflict; and the Fox, believing lie would soon be master of 
the field, began to shout after the manner of ancient heroes, to 
shame his adversary, and to exult in anticipated victory. Bui 
[segrim, in a state of mind bordering on despair, and regardless 
of laceration and pain, put forth all his strength, and by one 
fortunate effort laid his foe prostrate, and caught one of his 
fore-feet between his teeth, which he held with all the tenacity 
of a double screw. "Yield thee, thou dastard!" muttered the 
Wolf through his throat. Reynard became completely paralysed 
with terror; his last shadow of hope had evaporated like mist 
before the noonday sun. Like a craven he begged for his 

worthless life. lie shed a flood of tears; he implored pitv; he 

confessed himself an unhappy wretch; promised to proclaim 
[segrim the victor wherever he went; thai he would be his slave 

for ever; and that he would fetch his family to kneel before 

him. in token of the most abjecl submission. Moreover, he 
promised to become the WOlf's purveyor. All ducks, 

hens, or lishes, which he migbl hereafter catch, should he placed 



<j2 %\t Storg 0f $*par& % $h. 



at the victor's disposal ; and his chivalrous bearing should ever 
thereafter be the theme of songs, more during than brass or 
adamant. " No !" says Sir Isegrim ; " thou shalt cheat no more ! 
I'll rid the world of a flatterer and a thief. The ravens and the 
crows shall behold thy bones whitening the common, or thrown 
into the river." Whereupon Eeynard, thinking it was all over 
with him, renewed the attack, struggled desperately, and, by 
a lucky movement, clenched his fangs in the Wolf's throat. 
Isegrim shrieked with open mouth, and Eeynard drew out his 
foot, and with his two paws he nearly deprived him of his skin. 
They rolled together in a pool of blood, into which, ever and 
anon, the Fox saturated his brush, and did tremendous havoc 
thereby on the enemy. Lacerated, crippled, and blind, Sir 
Isegrim' s friends implored the Monarch to put an end to the 
combat. The heralds accordingly received the royal mandate • 
the conflict was ended, and Eeynard proclaimed victorious ; 
whereupon the whole assembly rent the air with shouts of accla- 
mation. The entire monarchy was agitated, from its depth to its 
surface, by a turbulent concurrence with the royal decision ; and 
golden opinions were uttered relative to the dignity and urbanity, 
as well as the justice, of the Sovereign. Grumble the Ass, 
although bred to the bar, had, like many of his .relations, a 
strong propensity for verse-making ; and accordingly he struck 
off an extemporaneous ode for the occasion, which was set to 
music with equal rapidity by no less a personage than Gallus 
the Cock, doctor of music, and sung by all and sundry who 
hoped for court favour. 




. 






dbt *tont of ilcmuro the firs. 



63 



Oitpter tl)f ^ivtmttlj. 



•HH- 




INCE more the Monarch of the Woods commanded 
silence, and selected the Leopard as his representa- 
tive, who uttered his royal master's will in some such 
terms as follow: — L - Victorious Reynard! I bring a 
v laurel wreath from my august Sovereign, to be placed 
upon your hrow as a symbol of conquest. He decrees a 
triumph in your honour.'" " I have compelled the foe to 
yield," said Reynard; "the disputed field is mine. I have added 

vi< -mil to my family name: I have earned undying glory to 
myself by clearing my injured fame: therefore, in accordance 
with the wishes of my gracious and redoubted Sovereign, let 
what is past be forgotten : let none hereafter insultingly name 

him who was overcome: let Sir [segrim be restored to the favour 

of his Sovereign. Generous victors do not conquer to insult tlic 

proud, but to tame them. 

A thousand friend-, whose names he had never heard of before, 

now thronged round him with fills e congratulations. I 

those who voted for his condemnation offered him a lari 



64 %\i Storg of Jpparfc % |ol 

of plate, and tendered their political support. But neither beast 
of the field nor fowl of the air was half so obsequious as Grumble 
the Ass, and poet ; who, kneeling at Reynard's feet, supplicated 
the high honour of carrying him. to court on his. back, which 
humble request being complied with, the bard pricked up his 
ears to an unusual length, looked with contempt on the undis- 
tinguished mob around him, and laboured under the hallucination 
that he possessed more wisdom than Rajah the Elephant, and was 
a greater proficient in music than Cloudlet the Lark or Arnoret 
the Nightingale. Preliminaries being adjusted, a regular proces- 
sion was formed, and to court they marched, through lanes of 
troops in new uniforms, passing occasionally beneath triumphal 
arches, adorned by wreaths and chaplets ; while the joyous 
inmates of the public seminaries strewed the path with flowers, 
and repeated quatrains from Grumble's ode. Nor were the 
fascinations of music forgotten. Rajah the Elephant, as band- 
master, struck up a Hindoo air, which had originally been 
composed in honour of Bramah, and had been a " march " in the 
Rajah's family for many hundred years ; and he had judiciously 
selected Trickster the Monkey, a countryman of his own, and 
placed him on his shoulders, because he was conversant both with 
the instrument and the music. Poodle, a third cousin of Springer 
the Hound, thundered on the big drum, which happily drowned 
the discord elicited by Jackoo the Baboon from an old cracked 
banjee or violin with his sinister arm, while the tambourine passed 
from hand to hand as an instrument which required little previous 
practice. One ludicrous incident occurred however, which it may 



be Storn of gipsrt the Jfos. 



Go 



be as well to explain. Grunter the Hog had been appointed 
standard-bearer, but he became so bewildered with the magni- 
ficence of the solemn train, and the elevated part therein assigned 
him, that he stupidly attached the wrong end of his broad 
pennant to the staff. His enemies, however, scruple not to say. 
thai he had been indulging in strong grains that morning. This 
piece of court scandal, however, may or may not be true; certain 
it is, that the mistake was committed. On rolled the excited 
throng toward the royal residence, accumulating in its progress 
like some mighty river in its transition to the ocean. The hills 
and valleys rung with Io Paeans, and the streets of the metropolis 
echoed to the exhilarating notes of the music, and the lusty cheers 
of the crowd. On approaching the royal presence, the observed 
of all observers bowed to his peers, but knelt to the Monarch, who 
graciously raised him from the ground, and after a brief speech, 
which monarchs sometimes find it necessary to make for the sake 
of being thought courteous, he concluded by emoting a piece 
of Grumble's doggerel, who was already smacking his Lips in 
anticipation of the butt of sack — 

Vniir woes arc righted, give the Wolf your hand, 

I liailc- the war and n<>v. tin- peace command. 



"Your Majesty's will," said Reynard, " has ever been the rule of 
my life. To accomplish your desires I have struggled through 
good and bad report. Your royal ear has often been poisoned, but 
your princely discrimination has as frequently repelled its viru- 
lence. 1 know of no greater lu.\ur\ than to live and die in your 



66 



\t Sicnr of $*pw& tin $t&. 



Majesty's service. I appeal to my honourable antagonist if I did 
aught to heighten his despair during the conflict ; and now that 
it is over, I deeply grieve to see his pretended friends basely 
desert their patron ; but it will ever be thus. When wealth, or 
royal favour — which is better — set in on you, like the fertilizing 
waters of the Nile, friends will accumulate, and flattery resound 
through your hall ; let riches and influence depart, and your 
fawning wheedlers will follow." 




(The .§torp of Tirpnarb the jo*. 



67 



(Lljaptcr tjjc ^ebcntcentlj 



•HH- 



EATED on his throne, in the midst of his senate, the 
Monarch of Beasts and Birds addressed them thus: — •• M\ 
T7T. lords and gentlemen, we have listened to all your com- 
* plaints — have taken them into our serious consideration. 
We -hall grant remedy to those who may have heen injured, 
and dismiss those statements that appear frivolous. Meanwhile. 
it is our will and pleasure to redress the wrongs of our faithful 
liegeman Reynard, and reward his worth. His wisdom, expe- 
rience, and zeal, deserve our favour, and we have determined !>• 
strengthen our government by his vast political knowledge, his 
high legal experience, and that personal influence which genius 
alone can exercise over the masses. We commission him I" 
perforin the onerous duties of Lord High Chancellor, to he the 

keeper of our royal conscience, and to utter those decisions in 

equity, from which there rs no appeal. A> our bighesi Legal 

functionary, we will hear no murmuring at the conclusions he 

arrives at, and wherever he sit-, you are to believe the King 

i> there. lie shall receive emha-sies in our name, with pOWST 



68 



%\t %imi 0f SLegnarJr \\t $0*. 



to treat and to conclude, and we command all our loving subjects 
to obey him, as they hope for our favour. He is no bigot, no lazy 
thoughtless drone — a burthen to himself and his colleagues in the 
cabinet ; he is active and eloquent, ever on the alert ; his judg- 
ment is not to be biassed, even by our own royal will 5 neither 
power nor party interest will tempt him from the path of rectitude ; 
he'll fear no faction, and he'll accept no bribes. Such is the person 
which we have elevated to the highest post in our realm — 'tis 
yours to obey." The members of senate were struck dumb with 
astonishment ; they glared upon each other with amazement ; but 
opposition to the royal will would have brought on confiscation, 
banishment, or even death, to any daring individual possessed of 
the temerity ; so all were silent, which his Majesty construed into 
loyalty and acquiescence. Painfully anxious to return to his 
castle of Malepartus, where Dame Ermelin was suffering the sorrow 
of uncertainty in a darkened chamber, Reynard humbly solicited 
the royal permission to revisit his desponding spouse for a short 
space. The request was granted on condition that he should return 
to court with all convenient speed ; for his presence and oracular 
wisdom had become almost necessary to the royal pair. Being so 
overwhelmed by regal grace, he scarcely wist what to say ; but 
kneeling to the throne, and kissing the feet of the beauteous Queen, 
he said — " I bend with awe before your imperial Majesty, and 
also before you, the fairest Queen the sun ever shone upon. Long 
may you reign in the hearts of your subjects. Under your benefi- 
cent auspices may the age of iron depart, and the age of gold 
return. May you live, not only in plenty, but in peace • and may 



<Tbe §toni of ilcnuara the rov. 



69 



you not only prove a blessing to your own subjects, but to the era 
in which you flourish." So, laden with royal presents, he departed 
for Malepartus, accompanied by a numerous train of friends. 
suitors, and time-servers, who, from motives of self-interest, Mut- 
tered round the new made Chancellor, as winged moths do round 
a lighted candle. Beguiling the way with " diverting talk." Rey- 
nard remarked — " You see our mighty foes, although impelled l>\ 
envy and malice, could not prevail against me; we must forgel 
past peril and past disgraces : the times are changing for the 
better. Our royal master is bountiful, generous, and good ; he 
prefers blunt, unassuming honest v. to clever chicanery : and. what 
is more uncommon still, he prefers wisdom to gold.'" When the 
towers of his residence burst Oil his view, he halted for a Little, 
and flattered his satellites, buoyed up their hopes as to their future 
fortunes through his patronage, retained a chosen few as his com- 
panions, to swell his triumph when he should appear in the 
presence of his wife and family, and bowed an obsequious farewell 
to the residue, although he despised them in his heart. Rumour, 
with her thousand tongues, hail already proclaimed to the world 
the altered circumstances of him who was recently arraigned in 

the high court of justice, ns a felon, for great crimes and treason- 
able practices. Sis trembling consort could hardly trust the testi- 
mony of her eyes, when he sprung to her embrace. I ler articu- 
lation was restored after she had shed ;i tlo.nl of tears, :iud she 

welcomed him joyfully. His sons were transported with happiness, 
and his very servants exulted with pride to Bee their venerated 

master once more. After mutual felicitations, he gave B modesl 



70 %\t jfctorg jirf Jjpaxfo \\t fe. 

narrative of the challenge, the duel, the victory, and the favour- 
able change in the royal mind regarding him. " I am now 
honoured with the highest position which a subject may hold; 
my friends are in ecstasies at my elevation ; my enemies depressed 
and despondent. But albeit I have them in my power, I shall 
not blight the verdure of my laurels by crushing them precipi- 
tantly, nor provide for my friends too hastily ; my opinions, never- 
theless, are beyond control, and my power absolute. Moreover, 
the King, my master, as the climax of his powers, tendered me 
the Great Seal with his own hand ; 

Bade me enjoy it with the place and honours, 
During my life, and to confirm his goodness, 
Tied it by letters patent ; 

So that I may truly say in the language of another great 
personage, ' I am the state.' " 

After having recruited his health, feasted his retainers, and 
gleaned golden opinions from his neighbours and dependants, he 
repaired to the metropolis, entered his court, mounted the bench, 
and awarded such decisions as if he had been an embodiment of 
Truth, with Justice and Equity for his assessors. But the novelty 
of acting justly and honourably wore off — the glare of popularity 
ceased to dazzle him. A compound of avarice, fraud, and 
cunning, his judicial conduct had been a piece of acting ; and his 
determinations gave him pain in proportion as these approximated 
to truth and righteousness. " Why should I injure my health, 
and waste my intellect, like a small pettifogger in the courts 



%\t ?torn of ilfiinaro the fff*. 



71 



below, for a poor limited remuneration? [f my position Is lofty, 

my expenses correspond therewith; and if I am the second in 
the monarchy, why should not my revenue be second only to 
that of the monarch himself? Besides. 1 am ambitious of 
becoming the founder of a family, and of transmitting, nor only 
my name and honours, but also something of a more tangible 
nature to my descendants ; and I must make hay while rlie sun 
shines." Such were the cogitations of the rapacious Chancellor as 
be twirled his paws or stroked his beard in his own court, 
while he pretended to give his most attentive consideration to the 
pleadings of the barristers in Chancery, and endeavoured to pass 
for an oracle of wisdom, and a prodigy of legal integrity. Ir is 
said, that "a crafty knave needs no broker:" it may he true in 
ordinary eases, but such was the depravity of this mushroom 
Chancellor's nature — such was his vehement desire tor the 
accumulation of filthy lucr< — such his insatiable craving for the 
mammon of unrighteousness, that, like the horse-leech, he sucked 
the blood alike of pursuer and defendant, rich and poor, as 
opportunities presented themselves. Nay, not content with this 

abominable procedure, his hired emissaries beset those who 

resorted to bis court, together with their kith, kin, and alii 

Throughout the various provinces of the kingdom, fraud and 
extortion were the order of the day. Decisions in Chancery were 

known to be marketable commodities, and the whole department 

Voted a delusion and a snare. Sir Isegrim the Wolf drew up ;i 

memorial on the subject, largely and mfluentially subscribed, and 
presented it to the King, entreating his Majesty to remove the 



72 



%\t Stars of |Uparfo % Jto. 



> 



arch-offender from liis high office. Grumble the Ass — who had 
failed in obtaining the laurel — fired off paper pellets at the head 
of the wicked and fraudulent official, in shape of dull pasquinades 
and pointless epigrams, together with a satirical lyric, which 
obtained some popularity, not from its own merits, but from the 
beautiful air to which it was set by Dr. Gallus. Eajah the Elephant 
amused the lieges by playing the significant air, entitled " The 
Highway to Newgate," and Poodle, the third cousin of Springer 
the Hound, beat the " Eogue's March" every evening at sunset — 
the import of which was well known to all within hearing. Grunter 
the Hog, who had previously acted as standard-bearer, defaced 
the hated name from his pennon, and bartered it — staff and all — 
with Jackoo the Baboon, who conducted a brewery, for a bushel 
of his strongest grains. Even Malkin the Cat, who never either 
forgot or forgave her laceration, bequeathed her skin to the author 
of the best essay on " Tyranny under colour of Equity." Society 
was fast verging towards anarchy, and various constitution-makers 
had begun to labour in their vocation, when happily the King 
took the alarm, and made minute and laborious investigation 
into the alleged malversations of his Chancellor. The result was, 
that he revoked his letters patent, deprived him of the Great Seal, 
and determined once more to have him impeached and tried 
before his peers as a great state criminal — 



'■ " He is attack'd, 

Call him to present trial. If he may 
Find mercy in the law, 'tis his ; if none, 
Let him not seek't of us." — 



%\t jstorg of S^psri tbe |o*. 









Meanwhile the sleepless vigilance which had hitherto charac- 
terised the degraded ex-official had not diminished. His eyes 
were open to every movement, his ears to every whisper. His 
emissaries were to be found everywhere ; but the more informa- 
tion which they collected the darker grew the page on which it 
was written, while his unrivalled sagacity assured him that he 
could hope for no clemency, except the axe and the block, as 
substitutes for the more vulgar halter and gibbet. 

" His high-blown pride at length broke under him," 

And, accordingly, he concerted secret measures with his cousin 
Grevincus the Badger, for depriving an ungrateful community of 
his eminent services, or, in other words, for absconding like a 
felon from the scorn and contempt of an insulted and injured 
people. Well did the arch-peculator know that eloquence would 
prove ineffectual and ingenuity* powerless ; that the prejudice of 
the multitude would be confirmed by irrefragable facts; and that 
acquittal was hopeless — condemnation certain. Whereupon the 
wily politician was reduced to the bitter alternative of choosing 
between ignominy and exile, or certain death. Alter some hours 
of agony spent in deliberation, he preferred the former; and 
calling up all his sagacity, he started an hour before dawn. 



74 



Stffrg 0f impart % $ax. 



CJrapte % €igjta% 




-HM- 



HIS movement, however, was anticipated by the 
police authorities. Scouts had been stationed in the 
'k various localities through which it was likely the 
fugitive would pass, and sentinels placed on the heights. 
The alarm was at length given, and the whole posse, 
under the guidance of Springer the Hound, gave chase to 
the hated delinquent, who exerted himself with all the energy 
arising from the impulsive powers of despair, and love of life. 
With masterly dexterity he evaded the fury of Sir Isegrim the 
Wolf, and the fleetness and fangs of Springer the Hound, who 
hung upon his haunches for several hours; but torn, bleeding, 
and breathless, he was at last obliged to give up the chase, 
and call off his broken-down followers. Thus Keynard escaped 
decapitation; but history and tradition are silent as to the country 
of his adoption, his future career, or the termination of his 
existence. This much may be affirmed, that remorse with her 
cat-o'-nine tails would haunt his meditations by day and his 




■ 



. 






} 



%\t Storg of geparfr \\t «yo*. 



75 



dreams by night, and he himself would exclaim in the Language 

of the poet — 

•• My conscience hath a thousand several tongues, 
And every tongue brings in a several tale." 

Agreeably to the juridical canons of the monarchy, a writ, 
bearing the signature of the Sovereign, was issued from the 
Council Office, summoning "Reynard the Fox to appear at tin- 
bar of the Privy Council, to answer to the charge of having com- 
mitted high crimes against the state." The members of thai august 
body met, and citation made, but no answer was returned either by 
principal or attorney. Upon which, sentence of outlawry was 
passed against the fugitive; his real and movable possessions 
escheated to the crown, and his family, with whose concurrence 
and assistance he had acted, attainted, declared incapable of 
serving the state from henceforth, and rendered infamous for ever. 

It is admitted on all hands, that the expatriated Ex-chancellor 
possessed all the requisites which form a great character. lie was 
sagacious and penetrating, acute and observant, an orator of the 
firsl order, and one whose ingenuity was seldom or never at fault. 
His legal knowledge was above and beyond that of all his 
compeers; and his urbanity and courtesy, especially when they 
suited his own purposes, were fascinating. His business habits 
were exact and methodical, and his wisdom proverbial; but thai 
wisdom was alloyed by low cunning, that sagacity and penetration 
by extreme selfishness, that legal knowledge by a morbid avarice 

which lie sometimes could ill conceal, and thai inflexible justice 

which he was elevated by his Sovereign to dispense to all the 



76 



%\t Starg 0f $*psrfo % $m. 



lieges, was perverted by the lust of procuring wealth, and an 
insatiable covetousness which he neither could, nor sought to 
repress. Hence, with all his transcendant talents, and the favour 
of an indulgent Sovereign, he was precipitated from his place of 
pride and power, and became an outlaw, an exile, and a 
vagabond ; proving the truth of the proposition promulgated by 
the illustrious fictionist, that "guilt, though it may attain 
temporal splendour, can never confer real happiness. The evil 
consequences of our crimes long survive their commission ; and, 
like the ghosts of the murdered, forever haunt the steps of the 
malefactor. The paths of virtue, though seldom those of worldly 
greatness, are always those of pleasantness and peace." 




EDINBURGH: PRINTED BY R. X- R. CLARK. 



